Psalm 90:10

Translations

Modern

The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

Traditional

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

Literal

The days of our years, in them are seventy years, or if by strength eighty years; yet their pride is toil and trouble—for it is cut off soon, and we fly away.

Latin

…dies annorum nostrorum in ipsis septuaginta anni. Si autem in potentatibus octoginta anni, et amplius eorum labor et dolor; quoniam supervenit mansuetudo, et corripiemur.

Original

Hebrew

English

The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

Notes

Psalms 90:9–10

A groan of sorrow (Ezekiel 2:10) represents a life facing the consequences of sin.
Humans create trouble (see Psalm 10:6) and receive pain as a result.

Psalms 90:7–10

Sinners cannot escape God’s anger against sin because the Lord sees their sins. Their lives pass quickly and are full of suffering.

Psalms 90:1–17

Although the Lord’s people have lived in him for many generations, their sin creates distance between them and their eternal Lord. The Lord’s anger against human sin can seem to last a lifetime. Even then, it is only a small sign of his full displeasure with sin. This sad situation leads the community to seek the Lord’s light.

The first step is to ask the Lord to restore them because of his compassion and faithful love (Psalm 90:13–14). He alone can make his servants glad. He alone can bless the generations that come after them (Psalm 90:16–17).

Theme notes and profiles

Moses Death God’s Anger Wisdom Psalms

Related verses

James 4:14
You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Psalm 78:39
He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.
2 Samuel 19:35
I am now eighty years old. Can I discern what is good and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voice of singing men and women? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king?
Deuteronomy 34:7
Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak, and his vitality had not diminished.
Genesis 47:9
“My travels have lasted 130 years,” Jacob replied. “My years have been few and hard, and they have not matched the years of the travels of my fathers.”
1 Kings 1:1
Now King David was old and well along in years, and though they covered him with blankets, he could not keep warm.
Job 24:24
They are exalted for a moment, then they are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like heads of grain.
Job 14:10
But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last, and where is he?
Isaiah 38:12
My dwelling has been picked up and removed from me like a shepherd’s tent. I have rolled up my life like a weaver; He cuts me off from the loom; from day until night You make an end of me.
Ecclesiastes 12:2–7
…before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened, and the clouds return after the rain,
Luke 12:20
But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’

Glossary

Age Calendars (Ancient and Modern) David Music Numbers and Numerology Numbers, Book of Psalms, Book of

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Age How Long we Will Live Life: Brevity and Uncertainty of Living Seventy Years Long Life Longevity: General Scriptures Concerning Man: Ordinary Limit of his Life Old Age: General Scriptures Concerning Three Score and Ten

Psalm 90:10

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