Psalms 90:9

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 90:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: We bring our years to an end as a sigh.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: We bring our years to an end as a sigh.
Psalms 90:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 90

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: We bring our years to an end as a sigh.

What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For all our days are passed away in thy wrath - Margin, “turned.” The Hebrew word - פנה pânâh - means to “turn;” then, to turn to or “from” anyone; and hence, to turn away as if to flee or depart. Here it means that our days seem to turn from us; to give the back to us; to be unwilling to remain with us; to leave us. This seems to be the fruit or result of the anger of God, as if he were unwilling that our days should attend us any longer. Or, it is as if he took away our days, or caused them to turn away, because he was angry and was unwilling that we should any longer enjoy them. The cutting off of life in any manner is a proof of the divine displeasure; and in every instance death…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“90:9-10 A groan of sorrow (Ezek 2:10) sums up a life spent in facing the consequences of sin. • Humans cause trouble (see Ps 10:6) and receive pain in return.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“For: Psa 78:33 passed: Heb. turned we spend: The Vulgate has, Anni nostri sicut aranea mediatabuntur, "Our years pass away like those of the spider." Our plans and operations are like the spider's web. Life is as frail, and the thread of it as brittle, as one of those which constitute the well-wrought and curious, but fragile habitation of that insect. All the versions have the word spider, but it is not found in any Hebrew manuscripts, or edition yet collated. The Hebrew might be rendered, "We consume our lives with a groan," kemo hegeh. a tale: Heb. a meditation, Psa 90:4, Psa 39:5 Psalms 90:10”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“After the transitoriness of men has now been confirmed in Psa 90:6. out of the special experience of Israel, the fact that this particular experience has its ground in a divine decree of wrath is more definitely confirmed from the facts of this experience, which, as Psa 90:11. complain, unfortunately have done so little to urge them on to the fear of God, which is the condition and the beginning of wisdom. In Psa 90:9 we distinctly hear the Israel of the desert speaking. That was a generation that fell a prey to the wrath of God (דּור עברתו, Jer 7:29). עברה is wrath that passes over, breaks through the bounds of subjectivity. All their days (cf. Psa 103:15) are passed away (פּנה, to turn…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification