Old Testament
Psalms 90:13
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Return, O LORD, how long? And let it repent you concerning your servants.
Compare translations
Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.
What Psalms 90:13 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the psalmist is pleading with God to return and show mercy to His people. The phrase 'how long?' expresses a deep sense of urgency and longing for God's presence and intervention. The psalmist acknowledges the suffering and trials faced by God's servants and seeks divine compassion. The use of 'repent' here indicates a desire for God to change His mind about the judgment or hardships that have befallen them. This reflects a belief in God's ability to alter circumstances and provide relief. The verse captures the human experience of waiting for divine help and the hope that God will respond to their cries. It emphasizes the relationship between God and His people, highlighting the need for divine mercy and the importance of seeking God in times of distress.
How to apply Psalms 90:13 to your life
In times of distress, we can turn to God with our concerns, just as the psalmist did. This verse encourages us to express our feelings of urgency and need for divine intervention. It reminds us to seek God's mercy and to trust in His timing and compassion, even when we feel overwhelmed.
Curated for this public verse page. Psalms Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Noah's story: Noah Is Born (Genesis 5:28–32)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Noah
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725043). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nablus and Mount Gerizim, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Shechem
Where God promised the land to Abram, and where Joshua led Israel to renew the covenant.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Psalms 90:13
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Psalms 90:13
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Psalms
- Author
- David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and others
- Written
- Around 1000-500 BC
- Genre
- Poetry and worship
- Original Audience
- Worshipers of Israel
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Psalms 90:13 mean?
Psalms 90:13 expresses a plea to God for mercy and intervention. The psalmist is asking how long they must wait for God's help and is seeking a change in God's judgment towards His people.
What is the meaning of 'how long?' in Psalms 90:13?
The phrase 'how long?' in Psalms 90:13 conveys a deep sense of urgency and longing for God's presence. It reflects the psalmist's distress and desire for immediate divine intervention.
What is the significance of 'repent' in Psalms 90:13?
In Psalms 90:13, 'repent' signifies a request for God to change His mind about the hardships faced by His servants. It highlights the belief that God can alter circumstances and show mercy.
What themes are present in Psalms 90:13?
Psalms 90:13 includes themes of divine mercy, urgency in prayer, human suffering, and hope in God. It emphasizes the importance of seeking God's presence during difficult times.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.