Add parallel Print Page Options

47 [a]How long, O Lord? Will you remain hidden forever?
    How long[b] will your wrath blaze like a fire?
48 Remember how brief is my span of life
    and how weak you have made all mortals.
49 Who can live and never experience death?
    Who can save himself from the power of the netherworld? Selah

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 89:47 The psalmist agonizes over the sad state of affairs in his day and puts questions to the Lord. At the same time, he prays to God to remember that his people are weak and ephemeral. If the Lord continues to hide his face, the people may lapse into despair. Hence, the Lord should renew his kindness during the psalmist’s lifetime. For the people are perishing, the anointed one is mocked, and the acts of God’s kindness that he promised to David are not forthcoming. The psalmist prays that such acts will return once again.
  2. Psalm 89:47 To give himself hope, the psalmist begs God not to let him die without having assisted at the renewal of the covenant. How long . . . ?: see note on Ps 6:4.