Psalm 90 describes a community lament following an unspecified disaster, asking God for mercy and blessings. The psalm, ascribed to Moses, invites worshippers to imagine Israel at the threshold of the Promised Land, recalling their ancestors' journey from Egypt and rebellion. Success in their mission depends on covenant faithfulness. The psalm emphasizes the passage of time, God’s eternal nature, and the brevity of human life, leading to earnest prayer for God’s help. It inspired the hymn "O God, Our Help in Ages Past.” The title marks it as a prayer by Moses, a foremost prophet.