Psalm 90:3

Translations

Modern

You return man to dust, saying, “Return, O sons of mortals.”

Traditional

Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.

Literal

You return man to dust and say, “Return, O sons of men!”

Latin

Ne avertas hominem in humilitatem: et dixisti: Convertimini, filii hominum.

Original

Hebrew

English

You return man to dust, saying, “Return, O sons of mortals.”

Notes

Psalms 90:3–6

Unlike God, humans are mortal and temporary.

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 Wisdom Psalms

Related verses

Genesis 3:19
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”
Ecclesiastes 12:7
…before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Numbers 14:35
I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will surely do these things to this entire wicked congregation, which has conspired against Me. They will meet their end in the wilderness, and there they will die.”
Psalm 104:29
When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to dust.
Psalm 146:4
When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground; on that very day his plans perish.
Job 34:14–15
If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
Job 12:10
The life of every living thing is in His hand, as well as the breath of all mankind.
Genesis 6:6–7
And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

Glossary

Adam (Person) Calendars (Ancient and Modern) Creation David Music Numbers, Book of Psalms, Book of

Topics

Death: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To God: Power of Life: Brevity and Uncertainty of Man: God: Turns to Destruction

Psalm 90:3

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