The Book of Psalms is divided into five separate books, with Psalms 90-106 being the fourth book. Moses is attributed as the author of chapter 90, which would make this chapter the oldest of the psalms. This chapter in particular is considered a prayer of Moses.
The Book of Psalms is made out of individual melodies, songs, or sonnets, every one of which is a ''psalm'' all by itself. These works contain a wide assortment of subjects. A few Psalms center around adulating and adoring God.
Others shout out in agony over the aggravation of life. Then again, different Psalms anticipate the happening to the Messiah. While a few Psalms are connected, each has its own authentic and scriptural setting.
What Is the Meaning of Psalm 90?
As stated previously, this Psalm is credited to Moses. It appears to have been motivated by Israel's meandering in the desert, which was their punishment for their insubordination at the boundaries of the Promised Land (Numbers 13-14).
That would make this the most established text in the assortment of Psalms. It is striking that the oldest Psalm would contain a reference to the curtness of human existence (Psalm 90:10).
Moses opens this psalm with a reasonable differentiation. God is timeless and never-ending; man is created and transitory. The initial expressions set up that God is past time and the universe; he has no creation or beginning.
As God expressed to Moses (Exodus 3:14), he essentially "is." Then again, humans pass on and return to the residue from which they are made (Psalm 90:1-4).
Moses advises us that 1,000 years resemble a day to the Lord. God is not restricted by time. It is not difficult to get deterred when a long-time elapses and the world does not seem to get any better than it is.
Once in a while, we may think about whether God can see what is to come. In any case, do not tragically expect that God has our limits. God is unhindered by time. Since he is timeless, we can rely upon him.
One justification behind life's quickness is human sin. Judgment from God comes on the individuals who incite His fury. Moses utilizes the relationship of grass, which can change from green and beneficial to shriveled and dead rapidly. As reverberated in different pieces of Scripture (Hebrews 4:13), God can see all things, including secret sins (Psalm 90:5-8).
God knows each of our transgressions as though they were fanned out before him, even the mysterious ones. We do not have to conceal our wrongdoings before him since we can talk transparently and sincerely with him.
In any case, while he knows that awful data about us, God actually adores us and wants to excuse us. This ought to urge us to come to him instead of startling us into concealing our transgression.
Number Our Days
In light of human sin (Romans 5:12), our lives end like a delicate, blurring puff of breath. Humans appear to live for around 70 to 80 years. Those with particularly great conditions may live to one hundred or a few years more. However, even the people who outlast their companions will in any case pass on.
Thus, Moses ponders who, if anybody, tries to think about what will happen when they face judgment before God. Indeed, the possibility to "number our days" is straightforwardly attached to a shrewd viewpoint. A key stage in understanding our situation before God is understanding our own mortality (Psalm 90:9-12).
Thinking about God's noble resentment and fury (Psalm 90:11), Moses gives an illustration of a reasonable supplication of prayer. He requests that God provide wisdom to represent our time. Time passes quickly, life is questionable, and God decides the judgment about transgression.
It is significant, in this way, to esteem the minutes and days that he has given us. We cannot realize what tomorrow will bring (Proverbs 27:1), so we should consistently devote each and every day to the Lord. We should live reasonably and with purpose and do as such each day in turn.
We should look for divine insight for the most effective way to live daily. Our petition toward the beginning of the day ought to be what David supplicated: "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground" (Psalm 143:10). Jesus set the ideal example of morning petition that we should emulate (Mark 1:35).
If we considered every 24-hour period as something important that God has shared with us, we would devotedly administer our time in manners that would bring honor to him (1 Corinthians 4:2).
Understanding that life is short assists us with utilizing the brief period that we have here on earth all the more admirably and for the good of our timelessness.
We should invest in some opportunity to number our days by inquiring, "What would I like to witness in my life before I pass on? What little advance would I be able to take toward that reason today?" What can I accomplish for God that will bring him honor and glory during my time here on this earth?
End of the Prayer
These last seven verses call upon the Lord to teach us that we need to number our days and to gain wisdom from them. Moses prays for mercy and joy as we all should. Moses petitions the Lord to bring prosperity to the work of the Lord’s servants.
Psalm 100:5 and Proverbs 22:4 also speak of God’s compassion, joy, and the blessings that are placed upon those who serve the Lord. Ezra and Nehemiah depict that God bestows gifts to the people who honor him, although those gifts may not be in a prosperous easy life.
Moses closes this supplication with a request for God to safeguard and edify his people. The call of "how long" is a typical one from the Old Testament (Psalm 6:3; 35:17; 89:46; Isaiah 6:11; Habakkuk 1:2). While spending time during difficulty, it is not unusual to ponder when, or regardless of whether, God will react.
But Moses communicates confidence that God will give Israel motivations to celebrate. He particularly requests God to exhibit himself to the people, to support their confidence. The Psalm closes with a rehashed demand for God to favor Israel's endeavors (Psalm 90:13-17).
Since God has given us the longing for timeless life (Ecclesiastes 3:11), we are not happy with just living "threescore and ten years" (70 years) (Psalm 90:10). We want to see God's everlasting plans uncovered now and for our work to mirror his lastingness.
Assuming we feel disappointed with this life and every one of its blemishes, we want to recall that the longing to see our work set up is set there by God. Yet, it will be acknowledged in the hereafter. Up to that point, we should put forth a concentrated effort to adore and serve God.
For further reading:
Why Is There a Prayer by Moses in the Book of Psalms?
Why Should I Make the Most of Every Opportunity?
Why Should We Not Worry about Tomorrow?
Why Is the Lord Compared to ‘A Thief in the Night’?
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