Psalms 90:10
The days of our years [are] threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength [they be] fourscore years, yet [is] their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
The days {H3117} of our years {H8141} are threescore {H7657} years {H8141} and ten {H7657}; and if by reason of strength {H1369} they be fourscore {H8084} years {H8141}, yet is their strength {H7296} labour {H5999} and sorrow {H205}; for it is soon {H2440} cut off {H1468}{H8804)}, and we fly away {H5774}{H8799)}.
The span of our life is seventy years, or if we are strong, eighty; yet at best it is toil and sorrow, over in a moment, and then we are gone.
The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty if we are strong— yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
The days of our years are threescore years and ten, Or even by reason of strength fourscore years; Yet is their pride but labor and sorrow; For it is soon gone, and we fly away.
Cross-References
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James 4:14 (15 votes)
Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. -
Psalms 78:39 (12 votes)
For he remembered that they [were but] flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. -
2 Samuel 19:35 (11 votes)
I [am] this day fourscore years old: [and] can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king? -
Genesis 47:9 (9 votes)
And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage [are] an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage. -
Deuteronomy 34:7 (8 votes)
And Moses [was] an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. -
1 Kings 1:1 (7 votes)
¶ Now king David was old [and] stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat. -
Job 24:24 (6 votes)
They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all [other], and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.
Commentary
Commentary on Psalms 90:10
Psalms 90:10, a poignant verse from the prayer of Moses, offers a sober reflection on the brevity and inherent challenges of human life when contrasted with God's eternal nature. It sets a realistic expectation for our earthly existence, highlighting its finite duration and the difficulties often experienced within it.
Context
This verse is part of Psalm 90, uniquely attributed to Moses, making it one of the oldest psalms in the Bible. It stands as a profound meditation on human mortality and God's timelessness, likely penned during Israel's 40-year wilderness wanderings, a period marked by divine judgment and an entire generation passing away due to disobedience, as seen in Numbers 14:33. Moses contrasts the fleeting existence of humanity with the eternal dwelling place of God, a theme powerfully introduced in Psalms 90:1.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The terms "threescore years and ten" (70) and "fourscore years" (80) are classic King James Version expressions for specific age markers. The Hebrew word for "strength" (gĕbûrah) can also refer to power or might, suggesting that even in one's prime, life's struggles persist. The idea of being "cut off" (chuwsh) implies a swift, decisive end, and "fly away" ('uwph) paints a picture of rapid disappearance, like a bird taking flight.
Practical Application
Psalms 90:10 calls believers to a profound sense of perspective and urgency in their daily lives.
In essence, this verse is not meant to evoke despair, but to awaken us to the preciousness of life and the ultimate importance of living in light of eternity and God's enduring sovereignty.
Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.