Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 90:12-17

"So teach us to number our days, That we may get us a heart of wisdom. Return, O Jehovah; how long? And let it repent thee concerning thy servants. Oh satisfy us in the morning with thy lovingkindness, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, And the years wherein we have seen evil. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, And thy glory upon their children. And let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And establish thou the work of our hands upon us; Yea, the work of our hands establish thou it." — Psalms 90:12-17 (ASV)

Those who wish to learn true wisdom must pray for divine instruction. They must also beg to be taught by the Holy Spirit, and seek comfort and joy in the returns of God's favour.

They pray for the mercy of God, for they do not presume to plead any merit of their own.

His favour would be a full fountain of future joys and a sufficient balance to former griefs.

Let the grace of God in us produce the light of good works. And let divine consolations bring gladness to our hearts and a lustre to our countenances.

The work of our hands, establish it; and, to that end, establish us in it.

Instead of wasting our precious, fleeting days pursuing empty illusions, which leave those who chase them forever poor, let us seek the forgiveness of sins and an inheritance in heaven.

Let us pray that the work of the Holy Spirit may appear in converting our hearts, and that the beauty of holiness may be seen in our conduct.