Psalm 90 — Lord Thou Hast Been Our Dwelling Place
Theological Analysis
A metrical versification of Psalm 90, attributed to Moses — the oldest psalm in the Psalter. It contrasts God's eternality with human frailty and brevity. The prayer "teach us to number our days" is among the most important wisdom petitions in Scripture. Isaac Watts's paraphrase "O God, Our Help in Ages Past" drew from this psalm.
✓ Theological Strengths
- Direct versification of inspired Scripture — Psalm 90
- Attributed to Moses — oldest psalm in the Bible
- Teaches God's eternality contrasted with human brevity
- Contains the key petition 'teach us to number our days'
- Inspired Watts's 'O God Our Help in Ages Past'
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Sheet Music
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Full Lyrics
Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place
In generations all.
Before thou ever hadst brought forth
The mountains great or small,
Ere ever thou hadst formed the earth,
And all the world abroad;
From everlasting thou art God,
To everlasting God.
Thou dost unto destruction turn
Man that is mortal made;
And unto them thou say'st, Again,
Return, ye sons of men.
For in thy sight a thousand years
Are like a yesterday;
Or as a watch within the night,
Before 'tis passed away.
As with an overflowing flood
Thou carry'st them away:
They like a sleep are, like the grass
That grows at morn are they.
At morn it flourishes and grows,
Cut down at eve doth fade.
So teach us, Lord, to count our days,
That we our hearts may guide
To wisdom true. Return, O Lord:
How long thus shall it be?
Let it repent thee of thy wrath
Towards thy servants free.
O with thy tender mercies, Lord,
Us early satisfy;
So we rejoice shall all our days,
And still be glad in thee.
This hymn is in the public domain.
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