Psalms 90:13

Psalm 90:13 is a poignant cry from humanity to the eternal God, expressing a deep longing for His renewed presence and compassion. Attributed to Moses, this psalm stands as one of the oldest in the biblical canon, offering profound insights into the brevity of human life contrasted with God's everlasting nature.

Context

This verse comes after a powerful meditation on God's eternity and the fleeting nature of human existence, which is often described as subject to divine judgment due to sin (Psalm 90:1-11). The preceding verses lament how human life is short, full of trouble, and passes quickly, often under the shadow of God's displeasure. Verse 12 is a prayer for wisdom: "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Following this acknowledgment of human frailty and the need for divine guidance, verse 13 pivots to a direct plea for God's mercy and a turning of His favor.

Key Themes and Messages

• Lament and Supplication: The phrase "Return, O LORD, how long?" is a classic expression of lament found throughout the Psalms. It signifies a deep yearning for God's intervention and a sense of His perceived distance or delay in bringing relief. It's a bold yet humble request for God to act on behalf of His suffering people.
• Divine Compassion and Relenting: The plea "let it repent thee concerning thy servants" uses anthropomorphic language. It does not suggest that God has erred or needs to change His character, but rather that He would change His disposition or actions towards His people, moving from judgment or distance to mercy and restoration. It's a desperate cry for God's unfailing compassion to prevail.
• Hope for Restoration: Despite the preceding verses' somber reflection on human mortality and divine wrath, this verse expresses hope that God will turn back to His "servants" (His chosen people) and bring an end to their distress, restoring joy and favor.

Linguistic Insights

• The Hebrew word for "Return" is shuv (שׁוּב), which means to turn back, to restore, or to come back. Here, it implores God to turn His attention and favor back to His people, indicating a desire for a return to a state of blessing and intimate presence.
• The word translated "repent" is nacham (נָחַם). While it can mean "to be sorry" or "to regret," when applied to God, it signifies a change in His *action* or *disposition* in response to human prayer or circumstances, often implying compassion, comfort, or relenting from a course of judgment. It highlights God's relational nature, where He responds mercifully to the heartfelt cries of His people.

Practical Application

Psalm 90:13 offers profound comfort and guidance for believers facing hardship or feeling God's silence. It teaches us that:

• Persistent Prayer is Essential: It is biblical and appropriate to cry out to God with our deepest laments, asking "how long?" when we are in distress or feel His absence. Such honest prayers demonstrate faith in His ultimate willingness to hear and respond.
• God is Compassionate: Even when we experience the consequences of sin or the brevity of life, we can appeal to God's inherent compassion and mercy. He is a God who "relents from sending calamity" (Joel 2:13) when His people humble themselves and seek Him.
• Seeking Restoration: This verse encourages us to pray for God to "return" to our circumstances, to restore joy, favor, and His tangible presence, just as He promised to His people throughout history (Malachi 3:7). It reminds us that our hope for relief and blessing ultimately rests in His sovereign and compassionate intervention.