Who wrote Psalm 90?

Answer 1

Psalm 90 is certainly attributed to Moses, and some believe that the same author wrote Psalm 91. However, Psalm 90 is most unlikely to have been written by Moses, even if moses had been a real, historical person.

The Bible says that Moses lived to 120 years old, and was already 80 years old when he began the Exodus from Egypt. The Bible also says his father lived to 137 years, so Moses would have been accustomed to people living to well beyond 100 years. Yet in Psalm 90 verse 10 the author says that the days of ouryears are three score and ten (70), and if by reason of strength they be four score years ..."

That makes it simpler to accept that all the psalms, including Psalms 90 and 91, were actually written during or after the sixth-century-BCE Babylonian Exile.

Answer 2

moses

Psalm 90 is traditionally attributed to Moses. However a brief examination of the text shows how improbable that is. If Moses was a real, historical person and if the Book of Exodus is based on history, Moses lived to 120 years and his brother, father and grandfather lived to similar great ages, as did Joshua and those around him. For him, to live beyond the age of 100 must have been normal. Yet Psalm 90, verse 10 says that we live to 70 years and perhaps by reason of strength to 80 years.

The anonymous author of Psalm 90 was aware that, at least in ancient times, no one lived more than 100 years. In fact, scholars say that the Psalms were written over a period of more than 200 years during and after the Babylonian Exile, although some of them are based on pre-Exilic oral traditions.

Another answer:

Some old versions of the KJV, of which I am in possession, contain "subtitle and summary headings" under many of the chapters and book titles [Genesis, Numbers, Psalms, etc] that the publishers of these versions added in their effort to "help the reader" in his study of the Bible to understand some of the "sources" of the verses, as well as, sometimes, an explanation of what's being said.

Regarding Psalm 90 in the KJV in my possession [one of the old "Red-Letter" editions]... the "summary chapter heading" reads: "...A Prayer of Moses the Man of God...".

Also... Halley's Bible Handbook says this about Psalm 90:

"Psalm 90. Eternity of God

And Brevity of Human Life. Being a Psalm of Moses, who lived 400 years before David, it may have been the first Psalm to be written. Moses wrote other Songs (Exodus 15, Deuteronomy 32). Rabbinic tradition assigns the ten following Psalms, 91-100, to Moses." (Halley's Bible Handbook with the King James Version: Classic Edition; p.263)

Also, Matthew Henry begins his synopsis of Psalm 90 with:

"... It is supposed that this psalm refers to the sentence passed on Israel in the wilderness, Numb. xiv. The favour and protection of God are the only sure rest and comfort of the soul in this evil world..." (Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary).

Indeed, did Moses preside over Israel in Numbers 14, and had every reason to lament in what became Psalm 90; God's "forty-year" withholding punishment and sentence for their Faithless refusal to take the land God promised them.

Answer 3

Like all the psalms, Psalm 92 was written anonymously, during or after the Babylonian Exile. We can not say who wrote this psalm.

Answer 4

According to tradition, Psalms 90-100 were all composed by Moses.

Answer 5

Chaud