In the fourth book of the Psalms, Psalms 90-106, we find the theme of the brokenness of the world, including human mortality, in the context of God’s sovereignty. They teach us that none of us are able to make our own life, never mind the whole world, as it should be. They teach that we will suffer but we can’t protect those we love closest to us from suffering either.
Psalm 90, is ascribed to Moses, and Psalm 101, and Psalm 103, are ascribed to David. In Book 2, we find that eighteen psalms are ascribed to David and one to Solomon, Psalm 72, the rest are anonymous.
In Book 1, the name ‘Yahweh’ is found two-hundred and seventy-three times. In Book 2, the name ‘Yahweh’ is found seventy-four times. In Book 3, the name ‘Yahweh’ is found thirteen times and finally, in Books 4, and 5, the name ‘Yahweh’ is found three-hundred and thirty-nine times. As you can see the name ‘Yahweh’ is more popular in Book 1.
In Book 1, the name ‘Elohim’ is found fifteen times. In Book 2, the name ‘Elohim’ is found two-hundred and seven times. In Book 3, the name, ‘Elohim’ is found thirty-six times and finally, in Books 4, and 5, the name ‘Elohim’ is found seven times. As you can see, the name ‘Elohim’ is more popular in Book 2.
In this psalm, Moses expresses his deep feelings concerning the shortness of life. Although there’s no heading for this in the NIV, the first verse of the KJV tells us it is a prayer of Moses, the man of God, Deuteronomy 33:1 / Joshua 14:6 / Ezra 3:2. Jewish tradition accredits the ten following psalms to Moses, Psalms 91-100. Other Psalms written by Moses are also found in Exodus 15, and Deuteronomy 32.
It appears this psalm was written sometime during the wilderness wanderings of Israel on their way to Canaan, Psalm 90:1. It was certainly during those years that God was Israel’s constant shelter, refuge, and protection and more importantly, God dwelled among His people, Deuteronomy 33:27.
On route to Canaan, Moses looked around at the mountains and reflected upon how God existed before any of them, Psalm 90:2. It was God who created them and the whole world. God has no beginning or ending, He existed before anything existed, and He truly is everlasting to everlasting, Psalm 90:2.
During the wilderness wanderings, Moses says time and time again when God judges people, they return to the dust and therefore He should be feared by all, Psalm 90:3. The word, ‘return’, doesn’t mean repent, it was a command of man to return to the dust from which he came, Genesis 3:19.
Moses reminds us that to God ‘a thousand years is like a day’ that have just gone by, Psalm 90:4. In other words, God isn’t retrained by time, 2 Peter 3:8. In contrast to the eternality of God, man is brief as a watch in the night and man I swept away in the sleep of death, Psalm 90:5.
In contrast to the eternality of God, man is like new grass which is new in the morning but withers in the evening Psalm 90:5-6. In other words, God’s perspective of time’s passing is very different from ours, Isaiah 40:6-8 / 1 Peter 1:24-25.
Moses now tells us that God who isn’t restrained by time, has the divine right to judge His own people. God judges His people with wrath and anger because of their iniquities, Psalm 90:7, and their ‘secret sins’, Psalm 90:8 / Romans 3:23 / Romans 3:9-10 / 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9.
People are fools to think they can sin and not be seen by the God who sees everything. Both God and man can see the sin that is carried out in behaviour. But only God can know all the hidden attitudes of sin that are deep within the heart of man. And so, we pass our days under the judgment of God, Psalm 90:9.
In contrast to the eternal nature of God, man and his sinfulness are temporary. While God remains forever, man’s life finishes with a moan, Psalm 90:9. In other words, the length of our days are like a sighing breath.
If we’re blessed, we will live for seventy or eighty years, but our days will end with trouble and sorrow, Psalm 90:10. We must note that isn’t a promise to live this long, but an estimation of our lifespan. After all, Moses lived to one-hundred and twenty years of age, Deuteronomy 31:2 / Deuteronomy 34:7. Regardless of the length of life, we are but a breath of wind in comparison to time and when we fly away, that is, die, we will be judged, Psalm 90:10 / Hebrews 9:27.
If we were aware of God’s anger, we would fear God more and live our lives right for Him, Psalm 90:11. We would ask God to teach us to number our days, Psalm 90:12, that is, take one day at a time and make the most of that day, Ephesians 5:16, whilst being thankful for the day we now have. No one is promised a tomorrow, James 4:14, so we should learn wisdom from God in our hearts and minds, Psalm 90:12 /James 1:5.
After thinking about God’s judgement upon His people, Moses now asks God how long will He take to return with compassion for man. He asks Him to relent, not to delay in bringing His presence, compassion, and unfailing love to His people, Psalm 90:13.
Only God can satisfy our souls with His unfailing love, He does this ‘in the morning’, Psalm 90:14, every morning, Psalm 30:5 / Psalm 49:14 / Psalm 143:8 / Lamentations 3:23, in order that His people may sing songs of joy and be glad, Psalm 90:14.
Moses asks God that their days of gladness would also be many, Psalm 90:15, so many, that Israel’s children would see evidence of God’s glory, Psalm 90:16 / 2 Corinthians 4:17. Moses desires that God’s favour rest upon His people, and that His works would be established, Psalm 90:17. In other words, He’s pleading with God that His salvational work among His people is made known.
Moses taught us about the shortness of life and He asks God to teach His people His ways because life is so short. All too often we deceive ourselves into thinking that we have a tomorrow when tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone, Proverbs 27:1 / Luke 12:20 / James 4:13-15.
As Christians, we need to make the most of today because we’re not promised a tomorrow. Imagine how our lives would be different if we truly believed we only had one more day to live? I’m sure that most of us would have different priorities and possibly an enhanced sense of urgency in what we would do, Matthew 6:33-34 / Ephesians 5:16.
Chris Rice wrote a beautiful song called, ‘Life means so much’, and a few lines from this song will be a good final thought.