Psalm 90

Psalm 90 is the 90th psalm from the Book of Psalms. Unique among the Psalms, it is attributed to Moses. The Psalm is well known for its reference to human life expectancy being 70 or 80 ("threescore years and ten", or "if by reason of strength ... fourscore years" in the King James Version), although the Psalm's attributed author, Moses, lived to 120 years.

Uses

Judaism

• Is recited during the Pesukei Dezimra during Shabbat, Yom Tov, and Hoshana Rabbah.^[1]
• Is recited on Shabbat Nachamu (the Shabbat after Tisha B'Av) in some traditions.^[2]
• Verse 17 is recited following Motzei Shabbat Maariv^[3] and the first paragraph of the Shema during bedtime prayers.^[4]
• Psalm 90 is the seventh of ten Psalms recited in the Tikkun HaKlali of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov

Christianity

• The hymn O God, our help in ages past is a lyrical version of Psalm 90 written by Isaac Watts.

References

1. The Complete Artscroll Siddur page 378
2. The Artscroll Tehillim page 329
3. The Complete Artscroll Siddur page 595
4. The Complete Artscroll Siddur page 291