Psalms 90:15

Make us glad according to the days [wherein] thou hast afflicted us, [and] the years [wherein] we have seen evil.

Make us glad {H8055}{H8761)} according to the days {H3117} wherein thou hast afflicted {H6031}{H8765)} us, and the years {H8141} wherein we have seen {H7200}{H8804)} evil {H7451}.

Let our joy last as long as the time you made us suffer, for as many years as we experienced trouble.

Make us glad for as many days as You have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen evil.

Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, And the years wherein we have seen evil.

Psalms 90:15 is a poignant plea within a prayer of Moses, found in a psalm that meditates deeply on the brevity of human life, the eternal nature of God, and the weight of divine judgment against sin. This verse expresses a profound hope for restoration and joy that would balance the experienced suffering.

Context

Psalm 90, often attributed to Moses, stands as the oldest psalm in the biblical collection. It begins by contrasting God's eternal dwelling with humanity's fleeting existence, likening human life to a breath or a watch in the night (Psalm 90:4). The preceding verses lament the destructive power of God's wrath due to human sin, which consumes generations and brings life to a swift end (Psalm 90:7-9). Against this backdrop of divine judgment and human frailty, verse 15 is a fervent prayer for God's mercy and a commensurate measure of gladness to offset the long period of affliction and evil experienced by His people.

Key Themes

  • Divine Compensation and Restoration: The core request is for God to "make us glad" in proportion to the "days wherein thou hast afflicted us" and "the years wherein we have seen evil." This isn't a demand, but a humble plea for God to turn sorrow into joy, acknowledging His sovereignty over both suffering and blessing.
  • Hope Amidst Suffering: Despite the acknowledgement of prolonged suffering, the verse expresses an unwavering hope that God's character includes mercy and a desire to bring joy after tribulation. It anticipates a period of divine favor that will outweigh the seasons of hardship.
  • God's Timing: The phrase "according to the days" suggests a divinely appointed balance, implying that God's restorative work is precise and just, aligning with the extent of past trials.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "make us glad" (שַׂמְּחֵנוּ - samchenu) is an imperative, reflecting an earnest and direct petition. The term for "afflicted us" (עִנִּיתָנוּ - innitanu) implies not just suffering, but also being humbled or brought low by God's hand, often for disciplinary purposes. The phrase "seen evil" (רָאִינוּ רָעָה - ra'inu ra'ah) literally means "we have seen badness" or "calamity," emphasizing the direct experience of misfortune or distress over an extended period. This repetition underscores the depth and duration of their hardship, making the plea for joy all the more significant.

Practical Application

Psalms 90:15 offers a powerful model for prayer in times of prolonged difficulty. It teaches us to:

  • Acknowledge Suffering: Honestly present our past and present afflictions before God, recognizing His hand even in trials.
  • Pray for Proportional Joy: Ask God for a measure of joy and restoration that is fitting to the depth and duration of our hardships. This reflects faith in God's ability to redeem suffering and bring good out of it, much like the promise found in Romans 8:28.
  • Trust in God's Redemptive Plan: This verse beautifully expresses the biblical principle that while "weeping may endure for a night, joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm 30:5). It encourages believers to look beyond current struggles to the hope of divine comfort and gladness that God promises to His faithful people.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 126:5

    They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

  • Psalms 126:6

    He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves [with him].

  • Psalms 30:5

    For his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour [is] life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning.

  • John 16:20

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

  • Isaiah 40:1

    ¶ Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

  • Isaiah 40:2

    Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.

  • Jeremiah 31:12

    Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
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