King James Version

What Does Psalms 90:10 Mean?

“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: Heb. As for the days of our years, in them are seventy years”

Context

Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.

For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. passed: Heb. turned away as a: or, as a meditation

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: Heb. As for the days of our years, in them are seventy years

Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. apply: Heb. cause to come

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Topics in This Verse

Strength

Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(10) **Yet is their strength . . .**—The LXX. (and so Vulg.) appear to have had a slightly different reading, which gives much better sense: “Yet their additional years are but labour and sorrow.” The old man has no reason to congratulate himself on passing the ordinary limit, of life. **For it is soon cut off.**—This seems hardly to give, as it professes to do, a reason for the fact that the prolongation of life beyond its ordinary limit brings trouble and sorrow, and we are compelled to see if the words can convey a different meaning. Literally the clause is, *for *(or *thus*)* passeth haste, and we fly away *(like a bird), which may be rendered, *thus there comes a haste that we may fly away; i.e., *even though we may have prayed for an extension of life, it brings with it such weariness that we long at last to escape—a fact sufficiently true to experience. “Yet are these feet, whose strengthless stay is numb, Unable to support this lump of clay, *Swift winged with desire to get a grave.”* SHAKSPEARE.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 90:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.