Introduction: Psalm 90 explains the transient nature of human life in contrast to the eternal existence of God. It is attributed to Moses, making it one of the oldest psalms, and it addresses God’s sovereignty, man’s mortality, and the hope of divine favor. This psalm acknowledges the brevity of our lives and encourages us to seek wisdom and satisfaction in God (Psalm 90:12,14).
I. God’s Eternal Nature (Psalm 90:1-2)
In these opening verses, Moses establishes God as our dwelling place throughout all generations. Unlike man, who is transient, God’s existence stretches from eternity past to eternity future. This perspective can be seen in other scriptures, such as Isaiah 57:15, where God is described as inhabiting eternity, and Revelation 1:8, where Jesus identifies himself as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end.
II. Human Mortality (Psalm 90:3-6)
These verses illustrate the fleeting nature of human life in contrast to God’s eternal existence. Moses employs the imagery of the cycle of day and night to depict the transient nature of human life, reminiscent of passages like Job 14:1-2, which reminds us of the shortness of life, and 1 Peter 1:24, where human life is compared to grass that withers and falls away.
III. God’s Wrath and Sin (Psalm 90:7-11)
Moses acknowledges that human life is not only brief but also filled with trouble due to sin, resulting in God’s wrath. He realizes the weight of God’s wrath (Psalm 90:11), an idea that resonates with Nahum 1:6, which questions who can endure his fierce anger. Romans 6:23 also echoes this theme, stating that the wage of sin is death.
IV. Gaining Wisdom from our Mortality (Psalm 90:12)
In this verse, Moses prays for wisdom to understand the brevity of life and align his actions accordingly. This plea for wisdom aligns with James 1:5, which encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, and Proverbs 9:10 which states that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
V. Plea for Compassion and Mercy (Psalm 90:13-17)
In the concluding verses, Moses appeals for God’s mercy, seeking His favor and the work of His hands upon them. This prayer for mercy is echoed in Lamentations 3:22-23, which speaks of God’s mercies being new every morning, and in Titus 3:5, which refers to the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion: Psalm 90 stands as a stark reminder of our mortality and the eternal existence of God. It calls us to recognize the brief span of our lives and to seek wisdom accordingly. This wisdom leads us to a deeper understanding of our dependence on God’s mercy and compassion, underlining our need to seek His favor. Ultimately, the psalm paints a vivid picture of the vast chasm between humanity’s fleeting existence and God’s eternal omnipresence, and it encourages us to live wisely, with a perspective on the eternal.
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