Psalms 90:2

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Psalms 90:2 profoundly declares the pre-existent, eternal, and sovereign nature of God, establishing Him as the Creator who exists infinitely beyond the bounds of time and space. This verse serves as a foundational theological statement, contrasting the temporal and transient nature of all creation, including humanity, with the unchanging, everlasting reality of the Divine. It asserts that God's being is without beginning or end, preceding and encompassing all that exists.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 90 is a unique and ancient prayer, traditionally ascribed to Moses, making it one of the oldest psalms in the biblical canon. It stands apart from many other psalms as a communal lament and prayer for wisdom, set against the backdrop of human mortality and divine judgment. Verse 2, with its majestic declaration of God's eternity, serves as the theological bedrock for the entire psalm. It immediately follows the assertion that God has been humanity's dwelling place through all generations (Psalm 90:1), grounding this refuge in His eternal nature. The subsequent verses then starkly contrast this divine permanence with the brevity and frailty of human life, likened to a passing dream or fading grass (e.g., [Psalm 90:5-6](/psalms/90-5 "Psalm 90:5-6 - Human Life as a Passing Dream")). This foundational statement of God's timelessness provides the necessary perspective for Moses's subsequent plea for wisdom and a proper understanding of life's fleeting nature, culminating in a prayer for God's favor and the establishment of their work ([Psalm 90:12-17](/psalms/90-12 "Psalm 90:12-17 - Prayer for Wisdom and Favor")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Attributed to Moses, Psalm 90 is widely believed to have been composed during the Israelites' forty-year wilderness wanderings, a period marked by divine judgment and the death of an entire generation due to their disobedience (as recounted in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - The Wilderness Wanderings and Rebellion")). This historical backdrop imbues the psalm with a deep sense of human frailty and the brevity of life in the face of divine wrath. The imagery of "mountains" and "earth and world" in verse 2 would have resonated deeply with an ancient audience, representing the most enduring and fundamental elements of their perceived reality. By stating that God existed "before" these seemingly eternal physical structures were even "brought forth" or "formed," Moses underscores God's absolute transcendence and pre-existence over all created order, a concept radical in its monotheistic implications compared to surrounding polytheistic cultures that often deified natural phenomena.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully encapsulates several core theological themes central to the book of Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. The most prominent is **God's Eternity**, emphasizing His existence without beginning or end, "from everlasting to everlasting." This concept positions God as utterly transcendent, outside the temporal limitations that govern creation. Closely related is **God as Creator**, highlighted by the phrases "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world." This underscores His active, intentional role in bringing the cosmos into being, not as a product of chance, but as the deliberate work of a pre-existent, sovereign will. Furthermore, the verse implicitly declares **God's Immutability**; unlike the ever-changing world and the transient nature of human life (a theme pervasive in [Psalm 90](/psalms/90 "Psalm 90 - A Prayer of Moses")), God remains constant and unchanging in His character and being. Finally, it affirms **Divine Sovereignty**, asserting God's ultimate authority and control over all things, past, present, and future, simply because He is God and existed before all else.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"brought forth" (Hebrew, _ḥālal'_):** The Hebrew verb חָלַל (_ḥālal_), often translated as "to begin," "to profane," or "to pierce," takes on the sense of "to bring forth" or "to be born" in this context, particularly in the Niphal stem (passive form). When paired with "mountains," it evokes the imagery of creation as a process akin to birth or genesis, suggesting a deliberate, foundational act of God in establishing the most ancient and seemingly permanent features of the earth. It implies that even the most enduring elements of creation had a definite origin point, entirely dependent on God's prior existence and creative will.
* **"formed" (Hebrew, _ḥûl'_):** The verb חוּל (_ḥûl_), closely related to _ḥālal_, carries meanings of "to writhe," "to travail," "to dance," or "to bring forth." Here, in the Piel stem, it signifies an active, intentional shaping or forming. The use of this word alongside "brought forth" emphasizes the deliberate and purposeful nature of God's creative activity. It's not a passive emergence but an active, sovereign act of shaping the "earth and the world," indicating God's intimate involvement and mastery over the entire cosmos from its very inception.
* **"from everlasting to everlasting" (Hebrew, _min ‘ôlām wə‘ad ‘ôlām'_):** This powerful Hebrew idiom, מֵעוֹלָם וְעַד עוֹלָם, literally means "from eternity and unto eternity." The term _‘ôlām_ (everlasting/eternity) itself denotes a long duration, often extending beyond human comprehension, sometimes referring to the past, sometimes to the future. When combined in this merismatic phrase, it signifies infinite duration without beginning or end. It is a superlative expression of God's unbounded existence, transcending all temporal limitations. This phrase is a cornerstone for understanding God's absolute eternality, distinct from the created order.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Before the mountains were brought forth,"**: This clause establishes God's pre-existence relative to the most ancient and seemingly immutable elements of the physical world. Mountains, often symbols of permanence and strength in ancient cultures, are here depicted as having a beginning, a point of "being brought forth" by God. This immediately elevates God above creation, demonstrating His prior and superior existence.
* **"or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world,"**: Expanding on the previous thought, this phrase encompasses the entirety of the terrestrial cosmos. "Earth and the world" (often synonymous or complementary terms) signify the habitable globe and all its components. The active verb "formed" emphasizes God's deliberate, purposeful, and sovereign act in shaping and structuring the entire created order, not merely allowing it to appear. This reinforces His role as the ultimate architect and designer.
* **"even from everlasting to everlasting,"**: This is the climactic declaration of God's timelessness. It asserts His infinite duration, stretching boundlessly into the past ("from everlasting") and into the future ("to everlasting"). This phrase communicates that God has no beginning and no end; He is truly outside of and transcends the temporal dimension He created. His existence is self-contained and eternal.
* **"thou [art] God."**: This concise, declarative statement serves as the definitive conclusion. It identifies the eternal, pre-existent, and creative being as "God" (Hebrew: _El_ or _Elohim_), emphasizing His unique, supreme, and unchanging divine nature. It is a statement of identity and essence, affirming that the one who existed before all creation and will exist forever is none other than the one true God.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 90:2 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Contrast** is foundational, setting the finite, temporal nature of creation (mountains, earth, world) against the infinite, eternal nature of God. This stark juxtaposition magnifies God's transcendence and highlights human mortality, a key theme of the psalm. The phrase "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world" utilizes a form of **Merism**, where two contrasting or complementary parts ("mountains" and "earth and world") represent the whole of creation, emphasizing that God existed prior to *anything* in the created order. The repetition of the concept of eternity in "from everlasting to everlasting" is a powerful example of **Hyperbole** and **Intensification**, underscoring the boundless and incomprehensible nature of God's existence. Furthermore, the verbs "brought forth" and "formed" subtly employ **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like actions of birth and shaping to God, making His creative power more relatable while still maintaining His divine majesty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 90:2 is a cornerstone for understanding the biblical doctrine of God's attributes. It unequivocally declares His eternality, immutability, and sovereignty as Creator. This truth profoundly impacts our understanding of His faithfulness, trustworthiness, and ultimate authority. Unlike anything in creation, God is not subject to decay, change, or the passage of time. He is the uncreated Creator, the source and sustainer of all that exists. This eternal nature means His promises are steadfast, His character is unwavering, and His purposes are unfailing, providing an anchor for faith in a world of constant flux and uncertainty. The verse sets the stage for the entire psalm's reflection on human mortality, presenting God's infinite nature as the ultimate context for understanding the brevity and purpose of human life.

* [Deuteronomy 33:27](/deuteronomy/33-27 "Deuteronomy 33:27 - The Eternal God is Your Refuge")
* [Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "Isaiah 40:28 - The Everlasting God, Creator of the Ends of the Earth")
* [Revelation 1:8](/revelation/1-8 "Revelation 1:8 - Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Understanding Psalms 90:2 provides immense comfort, perspective, and a call to worship for believers in every generation. In a world characterized by relentless change, fleeting trends, and the undeniable brevity of human existence, this verse anchors our souls in the unchanging, eternal reality of God. It reminds us that our hope is not placed in temporary circumstances or human endeavors, but in the One who was, and is, and is to come – the Creator who existed before time began and will endure beyond its end. This truth cultivates profound trust, knowing that the God who formed the mountains and the earth is utterly reliable and faithful to His character and promises. It inspires deep reverence and worship, as we contemplate a Being whose existence transcends our comprehension, yet who condescends to be our dwelling place. Ultimately, meditating on God's "everlasting to everlasting" nature reorients our perspective on our own lives, urging us to live with wisdom, intentionality, and a recognition that our brief days are to be lived in light of His eternal purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's eternal nature (existing "from everlasting to everlasting") comfort you in times of personal or global uncertainty?**
* **What does it mean for your daily life that the Creator of the universe, who formed the earth and the world, is also your God?**
* **How does meditating on God's infinite, unchanging nature shape your priorities and perspective on the brevity of human life?**

### FAQ
**Why is this psalm attributed to Moses, and what does that imply about its age and significance?**

Answer: Psalm 90 is unique in being explicitly attributed to "Moses the man of God" in its superscription. This traditional ascription makes it one of the oldest compositions in the entire biblical canon, likely dating back to the period of the Israelite wilderness wanderings (c. 15th-13th century BC). This implies its profound antiquity and direct connection to the foundational experiences of the nation of Israel. Its significance lies in offering a rare glimpse into the spiritual reflections of a key biblical figure during a time of immense hardship and divine judgment, providing a theological framework for understanding human mortality in contrast to God's eternal nature, a theme deeply relevant to a generation dying in the wilderness (as seen in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - The Wilderness Generation")).

**What is the deeper meaning of the phrase "from everlasting to everlasting" in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "from everlasting to everlasting" (Hebrew: _min ‘ôlām wə‘ad ‘ôlām_) is a powerful Hebrew idiom that signifies absolute and unbounded eternality. The term _‘ôlām_ itself can refer to a very long time, an age, or eternity, depending on the context. When used in this merismatic construction, it expresses an infinite duration that stretches infinitely into both the past (without beginning) and the future (without end). It is a declaration that God's existence is not contingent on time, nor is it limited by it; rather, He transcends and encompasses all time. This is a fundamental attribute of God, distinguishing Him from all created beings and highlighting His self-existence and unchangeable nature.

**How does God's eternal nature, as described in Psalms 90:2, relate to the concept of human mortality, which is a prominent theme in the rest of the psalm?**

Answer: Psalms 90:2 serves as the theological anchor for the psalm's profound meditation on human mortality. By first establishing God's existence "from everlasting to everlasting" and His role as the pre-existent Creator, the psalm then starkly contrasts this divine permanence with the fleeting, transient nature of human life, which is likened to a passing dream, a watch in the night, or fading grass ([Psalm 90:3-6](/psalms/90-3 "Psalm 90:3-6 - The Brevity of Human Life")). This contrast is not meant to diminish human life but to place it in its proper perspective within the vastness of God's eternal purposes. Understanding God's infinite nature helps us grasp the preciousness and brevity of our own days, prompting a prayer for wisdom to number our days rightly ([Psalm 90:12](/psalms/90-12 "Psalm 90:12 - Praying for a Heart of Wisdom")), and to seek to live in alignment with His eternal will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 90:2, with its majestic declaration of God's pre-existence and eternality, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. The New Testament consistently portrays Jesus not merely as a human figure but as the co-eternal Son of God, actively involved in the very creation described in this psalm. Just as God existed "before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world," so too was Christ present and active in the primordial act of creation. [John 1:1-3](/john/1-1 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God and Creator") proclaims, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made." Similarly, [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer") asserts that "by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." This establishes Jesus' pre-existence and co-eternality with the Father, embodying the "from everlasting to everlasting" nature of God. Furthermore, the immutability of God declared in Psalms 90:2 is echoed in the New Testament's description of Christ: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" ([Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is Unchanging")). He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End ([Revelation 1:8](/revelation/1-8 "Revelation 1:8 - Jesus, the Alpha and Omega"), [Revelation 22:13](/revelation/22-13 "Revelation 22:13 - Jesus, the Alpha and Omega")), embodying the eternal God who was before all creation and will endure for all eternity, offering eternal life to those who believe in Him.

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

Hebrews 13:8

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

Genesis 1:1

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

Psalms 102:24

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

Psalms 102:27

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

Revelation 1:8

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

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

Psalms 33:9

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