Psalms 90 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Dwelling place — Although we and our fathers, for some generations, have had no fixed habitation, yet thou hast been instead of a dwelling — place to us, by thy watchful and gracious providence. And this intimates that all the following miseries were not to be imputed to God but themselves.

Thou — Thou hadst thy power, and all thy perfections, from all eternity.

Turnedst — But as for man, his case is far otherwise, though he was made by thee happy. and immortal, yet for his sin thou didst make him mortal and miserable. Saidst — Didst pronounce that sad sentence, return, O men, to the dust out of which ye were taken, Genesis 3:19.

Past — Indeed time seems long when it is to come, but when it is past, very short and contemptible. A watch — Which lasted but three or four hours.

Them — Mankind. Away — Universally, without exception or distinction. A sleep — Short and vain, as sleep is, and not minded 'till it be past.

Are consumed — Thou dost not suffer us to live so long as we might by the course of nature.

Hast set — Thou dost observe them, as a righteous judge, and art calling us to an account for them. Secret sins — Which though hid from the eyes of men, thou hast brought to light by thy judgments.

Our years — Of the generality of mankind, in that and all following ages, some few persons excepted. Flee — We do not now go to death, as we do from our very birth, but flee swiftly away like a bird, as this word signifies.

Thy fear — According to the fear of thee; according to that fear which sinful men have of a just God. So — It bears full proportion to it, nay indeed doth far exceed it.

Teach us — To consider the shortness of life, and the certainty and speediness of death. That — That we may heartily devote ourselves to true wisdom.

Return — To us in mercy. How long — Will it be before thou return to us? Repent thee — Of thy severe proceedings against us.

Early — Speedily.

The beauty — His gracious influence, and glorious presence. In us — Do not only work for us, but in us,