Psalms · Chapter 90 · Life
Psalms 90:12 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
Read this verse slowly. Let it settle before you move on.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"So teach us to count our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
KJV · King James Version
"So teach3045 us to number4487 our days3117, that we may apply935 our hearts3824 unto wisdom2451. apply: Heb. cause to come"
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses number, apply, hearts, unto, while the WEB renders these as count, gain, heart. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Psalms 90:12 in Psalms 90
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Psalms 90:12 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Psalms 90. Read the full chapter →
- v.10 The days of our years are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty years; yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for it passes quickly, and we fly away.
- v.11 Who knows the power of your anger, your wrath according to the fear that is due to you?
- v.12 So teach us to count our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
- v.13 Relent, Yahweh! How long? Have compassion on your servants!
- v.14 Satisfy us in the morning with your loving kindness, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Book background
About the Book of Psalms
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Genre
- Hebrew poetry
- Author
- David (73 psalms), Asaph, Sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, others
- Date written
- c. 1410–430 BC (compiled over a millennium)
- Audience
- All of Israel's worshipping community — and the church
- Chapters
- 150
The Psalms are 150 inspired songs and prayers covering every emotion the human heart knows — praise, lament, confession, thanksgiving, anger, longing. About half are attributed to David. The book is divided into five "books," each ending with a doxology. The Psalms shape Christian prayer more than any other Old Testament book and are quoted in the New Testament more than any other.
Setting: 150 sacred songs used in temple worship; the Bible's songbook.
Key themes: worship · lament · trust · kingship · thanksgiving
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Psalms 90:12
Psalms 90:12 contains 15 words in 2 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
So teach us to count our days
STUTCO
- 2
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
TWMGAH
Frequently asked
FAQ about Psalms 90:12
What does Psalms 90:12 say?
Psalms 90:12 reads: "So teach us to count our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." — from the Old Testament, Psalms (Hebrew poetry). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Psalms 90:12 in?
Psalms 90:12 is in the book of Psalms, traditionally attributed to David (73 psalms), Asaph, Sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, others and written around c. 1410–430 BC (compiled over a millennium). Psalms is hebrew poetry in the Old Testament, originally addressed to All of Israel's worshipping community — and the church. Best known for Psalm 23 ("The LORD is my shepherd") and Psalm 51.
What is Psalms 90:12 about?
Psalms 90:12 is primarily a Bible verse about Life, with related themes including Wisdom. Within Psalms, The Psalms are 150 inspired songs and prayers covering every emotion the human heart knows — praise, lament, confession, thanksgiving, anger, longing. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between Psalms 90:12 in WEB and KJV?
Psalms 90:12 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "So teach us to count our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "So teach3045 us to number4487 our days3117, that we may apply935 our hearts3824 unto wisdom2451. apply: Heb. cause to come". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Psalms 90:12?
Psalms 90:12 is 15 words in the WEB translation (66 characters), broken into 2 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 5 seconds.
How can I memorise Psalms 90:12?
To memorise Psalms 90:12, split it into its 2 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Psalms 90:12 matter in Psalms?
The Psalms are 150 inspired songs and prayers covering every emotion the human heart knows — praise, lament, confession, thanksgiving, anger, longing. About half are attributed to David. The book is divided into five "books," each ending with a doxology. The Psalms shape Christian prayer more than any other Old Testament book and are quoted in the New Testament more than any other. Psalms 90:12 sits within this larger story — Psalms as a whole emphasises worship, lament, trust.
How can I apply Psalms 90:12 today?
Many readers use Psalms 90:12 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Psalms 90:12 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
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Ecclesiastes 3:1
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:”
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2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.”
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Genesis 1:27
“God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.”
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Psalms 118:24
“This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!”
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Psalms 16:11
“You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.”
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Ecclesiastes 3:11
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can’t find out the work that God has done from the…”
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John 10:10
“The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.”
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Esther 4:14
“For if you remain silent now, then relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows…”
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1 Corinthians 6:19
“Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,”
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Ephesians 2:10
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.”
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Psalms 23:1
“A Psalm by David. Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
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Psalm 23:1
“Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
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Psalms 23:4
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
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Psalms 27:1
“By David. Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?”
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