Psalms 90:2

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou [art] God.

Before the mountains {H2022} were brought forth {H3205}{H8795)}, or ever thou hadst formed {H2342}{H8787)} the earth {H776} and the world {H8398}, even from everlasting {H5769} to {H5704} everlasting {H5769}, thou art God {H410}.

Before the mountains were born, before you had formed the earth and the world, from eternity past to eternity future you are God.

Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.

Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Commentary

Psalms 90:2 beautifully articulates the timeless, eternal nature of God, serving as a foundational truth in the KJV text. This verse, attributed to Moses, stands as a profound declaration of divine existence before and beyond all creation.

Context

Psalm 90 is a unique and ancient prayer, traditionally ascribed to Moses, making it one of the oldest psalms in the Bible. It is set against the backdrop of humanity's fleeting existence and God's enduring majesty. The psalm often reflects the transience of human life, possibly echoing the wilderness wanderings where generations passed away. Verse 2 establishes God's unchanging nature as a stark contrast to human frailty and the temporal world, laying the groundwork for Moses' subsequent prayer for wisdom and divine favor in light of life's brevity. For more on the human condition in this psalm, see Psalm 90:10.

Key Themes

  • God's Eternity (Alpha and Omega): The most prominent theme is God's existence "from everlasting to everlasting." This signifies that God has no beginning and no end; He is truly outside of time, encompassing all of it. This concept is central to understanding His divine nature.
  • God as Creator: The phrase "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world" highlights God's role as the sole, pre-existent Creator. He was present and active before any physical element of the universe came into being, demonstrating His supreme power and sovereignty over all creation. Explore the creation account in Genesis 1:1.
  • God's Immutability: Unlike the ever-changing world and the temporary nature of human life, God is constant and unchanging. His eternal nature assures His reliability and faithfulness across all generations, providing a stable anchor in an unstable world.
  • Divine Sovereignty: God's eternal existence and role as Creator underscore His absolute authority and control over all things, past, present, and future.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "from everlasting to everlasting" is a powerful Hebrew idiom, min olam ad olam (ืžึตืขื•ึนืœึธื ื•ึฐืขึทื“ ืขื•ึนืœึธื). It literally means "from eternity to eternity," emphasizing an infinite duration that stretches boundlessly into both the past and the future. The term "God" here is El or Elohim, referring to the powerful, supreme, and sovereign Creator God. The use of "formed" (แธฅolal) implies a deliberate and intentional act of bringing forth and shaping the earth and world, not a spontaneous occurrence.

Practical Application

Understanding Psalms 90:2 provides immense comfort and perspective for believers today. In a world characterized by constant change, uncertainty, and the brevity of human life, this verse reminds us that we serve an eternal, unchanging God. This truth encourages:

  • Trust and Security: God's immutability means His promises are sure, and His character is constant. We can trust in His faithfulness because He is not subject to the limitations of time or change like humans are. As seen in Malachi 3:6, "For I am the Lord, I change not."
  • Reverence and Worship: Contemplating God's infinite nature and His role as Creator inspires profound awe and worship. He is worthy of all praise because He is beyond our comprehension and the source of all existence.
  • Perspective on Life: When we grasp God's eternity, our own brief lives gain perspective. It encourages us to live wisely, making the most of our time in light of His vastness and eternal purposes, as Moses prays in Psalm 90:12.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hebrews 13:8 (26 votes)

    Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

  • Genesis 1:1 (21 votes)

    ยถ In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

  • Psalms 102:24 (11 votes)

    I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years [are] throughout all generations.

  • Psalms 102:27 (11 votes)

    But thou [art] the same, and thy years shall have no end.

  • Revelation 1:8 (10 votes)

    I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

  • Psalms 93:2 (9 votes)

    Thy throne [is] established of old: thou [art] from everlasting.

  • Psalms 33:9 (6 votes)

    For he spake, and it was [done]; he commanded, and it stood fast.