Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

90:12 teach us to number our days. In view of the theme of the psalm, this refers especially to the ability to make the most of one's days, since they are so few. The heart of wisdom would enable the faithful to live by the right priorities (cf. the "fear" of God, v. 11).

90:13-15 Return, i.e., come back to us, turn from your anger (cf. Ex. 32:12). in the morning. Probably a metaphor, where the current situation is the night and the singers look eagerly for the light of morning (cf. Ps. 30:5; 46:5; 59:16; 130:6; 143:8), the time when God will make his steadfast love clear to his people. Then they will be able to rejoice and be glad all their days.

90:16-17 Let your work be shown, i.e., display your love toward your people in great deeds of power that enable them to flourish. to their children. God made his covenant with Abraham and with his offspring (who must themselves embrace the covenant), and the OT faithful seek the continuation of the people through their own pious children (cf. 78:3-8; 103:17; 145:4). favor. Or "beauty" (see ESV footnote; Hb. no‘am, cf. 27:4). God's own beauty is on display through his faithful servants. The work of our hands is the work that God's people do in pursuit of their calling (Deut. 14:29; 16:15; 24:19).