Psalms 90:13

KJV

Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.

KJV (with Strong's)

Return {H7725}{H8798)}, O LORD {H3068}, how long? and let it repent {H5162}{H8734)} thee concerning thy servants {H5650}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Return, ADONAI! How long must it go on? Take pity on your servants!

Berean Standard Bible

Return, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on Your servants.

American Standard Version

Return, O Jehovah; how long? And let it repent thee concerning thy servants.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 90:13 presents a profound and urgent lament, a direct plea from humanity to the eternal God. It expresses a deep longing for His renewed presence and compassionate intervention, emerging from a sobering meditation on the brevity and frailty of human life, often experienced under the shadow of divine displeasure due to sin. This verse pivots from a recognition of human mortality and divine judgment to a heartfelt supplication for God to "return" and show mercy to His servants, signifying a desperate yearning for an end to suffering and a restoration of divine favor and intimate fellowship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Psalm 90, a unique and ancient psalm traditionally attributed to Moses. The psalm opens with a majestic declaration of God's eternal nature as humanity's dwelling place, contrasting His everlastingness with the fleeting, transient nature of human life, which is likened to a dream or grass that withers (as seen in [Psalm 90:1-6](/psalms/90-1 "Psalm 90:1-6 - God Our Eternal Dwelling and Human Frailty")). The preceding verses, particularly [Psalm 90:7-11](/psalms/90-7 "Psalm 90:7-11 - The Brevity of Life Under God's Wrath"), lament that human days are consumed by God's anger and wrath due to sin, culminating in a lifespan of seventy or eighty years, full of toil and trouble. [Psalm 90:12](/psalms/90-12 "Psalm 90:12 - Numbering Our Days for Wisdom") serves as a crucial bridge, a prayer for wisdom to "number our days" so that hearts may be applied to understanding. Against this backdrop of human fragility, divine judgment, and a plea for wisdom, verse 13 emerges as a desperate cry for God to turn from His perceived wrath and return to His people with compassion and restoration.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Attributed to Moses, Psalm 90 is considered one of the oldest psalms, potentially reflecting the wilderness generation's experience of divine judgment and the brevity of life during their forty years of wandering. This period was marked by God's manifest presence (the tabernacle, the pillar of cloud and fire) but also by His severe discipline due to Israel's rebellion and lack of faith. The "how long?" cry resonates profoundly with the prolonged suffering and waiting experienced by a people under covenant, who understood God's justice but also yearned for His covenantal faithfulness and mercy. The concept of God "repenting" (Hebrew: *nacham*) is an anthropomorphism common in the Old Testament, not implying a change in God's character or eternal plan, but rather a change in His *action* or *disposition* towards humanity in response to their repentance or cry for mercy, often seen in the context of the covenant relationship where He relents from an announced judgment or a course of severity.

* **Key Themes:** Psalm 90:13 encapsulates several profound themes central to the psalm and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it is a quintessential **lament and supplication**, a direct and bold cry to God from a position of perceived distance or suffering, echoing similar cries throughout the Psalms (e.g., [Psalm 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalm 13:1 - How Long, O Lord?")). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **divine compassion and relenting**, appealing to God's merciful nature to turn from judgment and restore favor to His "servants" – His covenant people. This underscores the relational aspect of God, who responds dynamically to the heartfelt prayers of His people. Thirdly, it expresses a profound **hope for restoration** despite the preceding somber reflections on human mortality and divine wrath. Even in the face of human frailty and sin, the psalm holds out the possibility of God's renewed presence, joy, and blessing, demonstrating a resilient faith in God's ultimate goodness and faithfulness to His covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Return (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** From H7725, a primitive root meaning "to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively." In this context, it is an urgent plea for God to turn His attention, favor, and active presence back to His people. It implies a perceived absence or withdrawal of God's favorable disposition, and the desire for Him to reverse His course of action (e.g., judgment or distance) and return to a state of blessing and intimate fellowship. It is a deeply personal and relational appeal, acknowledging God's sovereignty over His actions.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, referring to "the self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God." This is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, unchanging, and self-existent nature. By addressing God as "LORD," the psalmist appeals to His covenant faithfulness and His inherent power as the sovereign Creator and Sustainer, reinforcing the hope that He will indeed respond to the plea of His people.
* **Repent (Hebrew, _nâcham'_):** From H5162, a primitive root meaning "to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue." When applied to God, this word does not imply regret over a mistake or a change in His immutable character, but rather a change in His *disposition* or *action* in response to human circumstances, prayer, or repentance. It often carries the nuance of compassion, comfort, or relenting from an announced judgment or a course of severity. Here, it is a desperate appeal for God to "change His mind" concerning the suffering of His servants, to move from a posture of discipline or distance to one of mercy and restoration, driven by His inherent compassion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Return, O LORD, how long?":** This opening phrase is a classic expression of lament and urgent supplication. The imperative "Return" (שׁוּב, *shûwb*) is a direct and bold appeal to God, imploring Him to turn back to His people, to re-engage with them in a way that brings relief and blessing. The rhetorical question "how long?" expresses deep anguish, impatience, and a sense of prolonged suffering or perceived divine delay. It is a cry of desperation, questioning the duration of God's perceived absence or the continuation of hardship, yet simultaneously affirming faith that God *can* and *will* eventually act. It is a plea for God to resume His active, favorable presence among His people.
* **"and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.":** This clause continues the plea for divine intervention, using anthropomorphic language. The phrase "let it repent thee" (וְהִנָּחֵם, *v'hinnachem*) implores God to change His disposition or actions towards His people. It is not an accusation that God has erred, but a humble and fervent request for Him to relent from any perceived judgment or distance and to show compassion. The term "thy servants" (עֲבָדֶיךָ, *ʻebed*) identifies the petitioners as those in covenant relationship with God, appealing to His faithfulness and mercy towards His chosen ones, who are experiencing hardship and longing for His restorative favor. It is a plea for God to turn His heart of compassion towards those who serve Him.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 90:13 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its poignant message. The most prominent is **Anthropomorphism**, seen in the phrase "let it repent thee." This attributes human emotions or actions (repenting, changing one's mind) to God, making His character and responsiveness more relatable and comprehensible to the human mind, without compromising His divine immutability. The verse also features a powerful **Rhetorical Question** in "how long?", which is not meant to elicit an answer but to express the depth of the psalmist's anguish, impatience, and fervent desire for God's immediate intervention. This question is a hallmark of **Lament** literature, a genre prevalent in the Psalms where the worshiper expresses suffering and appeals to God for deliverance. The entire verse functions as a direct **Supplication**, a humble and earnest prayer for divine mercy and restoration, underscoring the intimate yet desperate relationship between God and His suffering people. The use of the imperative "Return" further emphasizes the urgency and directness of the plea.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 90:13 stands as a powerful testament to the human experience of suffering and the persistent, hopeful cry for divine intervention. It underscores the biblical truth that while God is sovereign and just, He is also deeply compassionate and responsive to the cries of His people. The lament "how long?" reveals a tension between God's eternal nature and humanity's temporal suffering, yet it is rooted in the conviction that God hears and cares. The plea for God to "repent" (change His disposition or action) highlights His relational character, demonstrating that He is not a distant, unfeeling deity but one who interacts dynamically with His creation, capable of relenting from judgment in response to humility and prayer. This verse reminds us that even when we feel the weight of divine discipline or the brevity of life, our ultimate hope lies in God's unfailing mercy and His willingness to turn towards His "servants" with favor and restoration. It is a profound expression of dependent faith in the face of adversity.

* [Joel 2:13](/joel/2-13 "Joel 2:13 - God is Gracious and Merciful")
* [Malachi 3:7](/malachi/3-7 "Malachi 3:7 - Return to Me")
* [Psalm 80:3](/psalms/80-3 "Psalm 80:3 - Restore Us, O God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 90:13 offers profound comfort and guidance for believers navigating periods of hardship, perceived divine silence, or the harsh realities of human mortality. It validates the authenticity of expressing deep lament and honest questions to God, even "how long?", recognizing that such prayers are not a sign of weakness but of profound faith in His ultimate willingness to hear and respond. This verse encourages us to persist in prayer, to bring our raw emotions and desperate needs before the Lord, confident that His compassion is greater than our suffering. It reminds us that even when we experience the consequences of sin or the brevity of life, we can appeal to God's inherent mercy, trusting that He is a God who "relents from sending calamity" when His people humble themselves and seek Him. Our hope for relief, restoration, and renewed joy ultimately rests in His sovereign and compassionate intervention, prompting us to continually seek His face and pray for His return to our circumstances, bringing His tangible presence and favor. This psalm calls us to a posture of humble dependence and persistent hope in God's character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently crying out, "How long, O LORD?"**
* **How does the concept of God "relenting" or changing His disposition encourage you in your prayers for difficult situations?**
* **What does it mean to truly be a "servant" of the Lord, and how does this identity shape your expectation of His compassion?**
* **How can you apply the wisdom of numbering your days (from [Psalm 90:12](/psalms/90-12 "Psalm 90:12 - Numbering Our Days for Wisdom")) to live more intentionally while also clinging to God's mercy as expressed in Psalm 90:13?**

### FAQ
**Does God actually "repent" or change His mind in the way humans do?**

Answer: No, the anthropomorphic language of "let it repent thee" (Hebrew: *nacham*) when applied to God does not mean He experiences regret or changes His essential character, which is immutable and perfect. Instead, it signifies a change in God's *action* or *disposition* towards humanity in response to their prayers, repentance, or the unfolding of circumstances. For example, God might announce a judgment, but if His people humble themselves and turn to Him, He may "relent" from that judgment, demonstrating His compassion and mercy (e.g., [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "Jonah 3:10 - God Relents from Disaster")). It highlights God's relational nature, His responsiveness to His covenant people, and His freedom to act mercifully according to His perfect will, always consistent with His righteous character.

**Why does the psalmist ask "how long?" if God is eternal and sovereign?**

Answer: The question "how long?" (Hebrew: *ad matai?*) is a common and deeply human expression of lament found throughout the Psalms (e.g., [Psalm 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalm 13:1 - How Long, O Lord?")). It reflects the psalmist's anguish, impatience, and sense of prolonged suffering or perceived divine absence. It's not a challenge to God's sovereignty but an honest, desperate cry from a place of pain, acknowledging God's power to intervene while pleading for the swiftness of that intervention. It demonstrates a profound trust that God *will* eventually act, even as the present moment feels unbearable. It's a prayer born of faith, not doubt, expressing the tension between human suffering and divine timing, and an appeal to God's compassionate nature.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 90:13, a lament for God to "return" and show compassion, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The cry "how long?" echoes humanity's deep yearning for God's tangible presence and deliverance from the curse of sin and death, a longing perfectly answered in the Incarnation. God did not merely "return" in disposition; He fully entered into human flesh, taking on our mortality and suffering (as lamented in the earlier verses of Psalm 90) to redeem us. Jesus, the perfect "servant" of the Lord (as prophesied in [Isaiah 42:1](/isaiah/42-1 "Isaiah 42:1 - The Servant of the Lord")), experienced the full weight of human frailty and the consequences of sin, even crying out in His own agony on the cross, embodying the ultimate lament. Through His atoning sacrifice, God's "repentance" – His turning from wrath towards mercy for His people – was definitively accomplished, as Christ bore the wrath we deserved (see [Romans 5:8-9](/romans/5-8-9 "Romans 5:8-9 - God Demonstrates His Love")). The New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ's blood, ensures that God's Spirit now indwells believers, guaranteeing His perpetual presence and compassion, fulfilling the desire for God to "return" and remain with His servants (see [John 14:18](/john/14-18 "John 14:18 - I Will Not Leave You As Orphans") and [Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - I Am With You Always")). Furthermore, Christ, our great High Priest, continually intercedes for us before the Father, understanding our laments and weaknesses (as seen in [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Understands")), ensuring that God's compassion is always extended to His adopted children through Him. The ultimate "return" and restoration of joy and favor are found in the new life offered through Christ, anticipating the final consummation when God will dwell fully with His people, and there will be no more sorrow or crying (as depicted in [Revelation 21:3-4](/revelation/21-3-4 "Revelation 21:3-4 - God Dwells with His People")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 106:45

And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

Psalms 135:14

For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.

Deuteronomy 32:36

For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that [their] power is gone, and [there is] none shut up, or left.

Psalms 80:14

Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;

Hosea 11:8

¶ How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? [how] shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

Jonah 3:9

Who can tell [if] God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

Amos 7:6

The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.