The Bible Says
Psalm 90:13-17 Meaning

In Do return, O LORD; how long will it be? And be sorry for Your servants (v. 13), Moses cries out for God’s timely intervention. Psalm 90:13-17 is traditionally attributed to Moses, during the period when the ancient Israelites wandered in the wilderness and before their entry into the Promised Land. He appeals to the Lord to come back and show compassion, revealing both the yearning of the people for divine nearness and the reverent acknowledgment that God alone can grant relief. The language suggests that the people have felt separation or distance from God’s immediate presence, and Moses pleads for the Lord’s return, underscoring a hopeful trust in the mercy of the Almighty.

This call also highlights how God’s timing sometimes appears slow from a human standpoint. Moses confesses the community’s desperation and dependence upon the Lord’s guidance. When he asks, how long will it be, he portrays generations of Israelites waiting for God’s redemptive action, often recalling their suffering in slavery and in the wilderness. The complaint is both emotional and relational, as if a child is waiting for a father to come back and rescue.

Furthermore, the plea for God to be sorry for His servants emphasizes divine compassion, which God’s people constantly need. It resonates with other biblical themes of lament, such as in Isaiah’s question, “How long, O Lord?” (Isaiah 6:11), reminding readers that faithful believers often cry out honestly to God during hardship. The heart of Moses here shows that even a leader so prominent in biblical history recognizes human frailty and the deep desire for a merciful, restoring God.

Continuing, Moses prays aloud in O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days (v. 14). This plea for satisfaction from God’s steadfast love points to the sustaining nature of divine favor. As dawn breaks each morning, the Psalmist desires renewed mercies that will refresh both mind and heart. The word lovingkindness affirms God’s covenant devotion to His people — a devotion that is unshaken by their failings.

The request for morning satisfaction implies a new beginning, reflecting the hope that each day will start with renewed grace. This hope of waking up to God’s steadfast love enables people to rejoice despite life’s burdens. Echoing Lamentations 3:22-23, God’s mercies are new every morning, anchoring believers in a faithful source of joy that is deeper than circumstantial wellbeing.

Furthermore, the phrase sing for joy and be glad points to an all-encompassing gratefulness that transcends momentary trials. Moses wants an end to mourning and a start to celebratory worship. For Christians reflecting on Jesus’ resurrection, morning joy also echoes the victory gained through Christ’s triumph over sin and death (John 20:1-18), deepening the call to worship with heartfelt thanksgiving.

In Make us glad according to the days You have afflicted us, And the years we have seen evil (v. 15), Moses transitions into a reflection on past afflictions. He recognizes that Israel’s troubles, including slavery in Egypt and wilderness wanderings, have been long and grievous. By asking God to make them glad in proportion to their suffering, Moses underscores the generous restoration God brings.

This verse teaches that suffering, often a product of life in a broken world and the consequences of disobedience, can be transformed into an occasion for God's redemptive power. The people’s experience of evil is counterbalanced by the possibility of divine joy. In Scripture, God often restores and blesses well beyond the scope of the losses endured, as seen in Job’s story (Job 42:10).

Moses’ words imply a longing for a compensatory joy that not only erases painful memories but also reveals a deeper character of God’s faithfulness. The relief sought is not mere survival, but a new sense of gladness that overshadows the weight of hardship. This hope aligns with the New Testament’s reminders of consolation after trials, pointing toward the ultimate fulfillment in eternal joy with God (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Then the prayer continues, Let Your work appear to Your servants And Your majesty to their children (v. 16). Moses longs for a clear demonstration of God’s sovereign acts in the life of His people. The word work implies God’s mighty deeds — His miracles, deliverances, and wise guidance, forming the basis of Israel’s faith.

This request for God’s work to be revealed reminds us of the importance of tangible experiences with the divine. Moses wants present and future generations to witness God’s majesty, preserving faith from one age to the next. In a Hebrew context, passing on the knowledge of God’s wonders is central to family life (Deuteronomy 6:6-7), ensuring that new generations choose to trust in the Lord.

Observing God’s majesty in a powerful act or through sustaining grace not only encourages worship but also engrains within children a reverential awe. This teaching remains equally relevant for believers today, as faithful communities pray for God to reveal His power in ways that lead future generations to joyful praise and committed devotion.

Finally, Moses prays, Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands (v. 17). The repeated phrase at the end underscores the deep desire for God’s blessing upon human endeavors. This is an appeal for partnership between the divine and the mortal, where God’s loving guidance empowers each task His people undertake.

Calling on God’s favor reflects a plea for His gracious approval and the empowering presence that can bring success to life’s labors. In Israel’s context, this favor included victory against enemies, fruitfulness in harvest, and the establishment of a stable society. Yet on a deeper spiritual level, it speaks to having God’s hand resting upon every dimension of life, leading to purposeful work.

When believers submit their plans to the Lord’s confirmation, they align themselves with a broader kingdom purpose. Moses’ request connects to Jesus’ teaching that abiding in God’s will leads to fruit that remains (John 15:4-5). Through God’s gracious favor, the work of our hands gains eternal value, testifying to the Creator’s glory.