Psalms 90 God's Eternity and Man's Mortality

Analysis of Psalms Chapter 90

Psalms Chapter 90 is a profound piece of scripture attributed to Moses, set apart from the multitude of psalms penned primarily by David. This psalm is a timeless meditation on the eternality of God versus the transience of human life, invoking deep reflections on time, mortality, and divine compassion. Through its verses, it provides penetrating insights into the nature of God and the human condition, making it highly relevant across the ages.

Verse 1: “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.”

The psalm opens with an affirmation of God’s eternal dwelling. The term “dwelling place” evokes imagery of shelter, refuge, and continuity. It implies that irrespective of the temporal nature of human existence, God’s presence is a constant across generations. This statement acknowledges God’s role as a steady, unchanging foundation amidst the ever-changing panorama of human life.

Verse 2: “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

This verse elevates the psalm’s view on God’s eternity and His creation. The poet vividly illustrates God’s preexistence before even the oldest parts of the earth—the mountains. By stating “from everlasting to everlasting,” the verse emphasizes that God’s temporal scope is boundless, contrasting starkly with human life’s finite nature. It lends solace in knowing that God’s existence and dominion encompass all time.

Verse 3: “You turn people back to dust, saying, ‘Return to dust, you mortals.’

Here, the transitory nature of human life is brought to the forefront by the stark reminder of our return to dust, a metaphor for mortality. This evokes Genesis 3:19 where God tells Adam, “For dust you are and to dust you will return.” This reminder calls humans to a humble acknowledgment of their finite existence and dependency on God, evoking a sense of humility and reverence.

Verse 4: “A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.”

In this verse, the psalmist reflects on the divine perspective of time. Unlike human time, which is linear and subjected to change, God’s perception of time is vastly different, almost immune to the passage of days and nights. A thousand years can seem merely as a fleeting day or a brief night shift to God. This portrayal helps reinforce the grand difference between human perception and the divine continuum of existence.

Verse 5-6: “Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—they are like the new grass of the morning: In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered.”

The metaphor of grass encapsulates the brevity of human life. Fresh in the morning, and withered by evening, the imagery underscores the fleeting nature of life, further juxtaposed against the eternal constancy of God. This comparison also resonates with the cyclical patterns observed in nature, where the rejuvenation and subsequent decay are persistent, yet life seems transient under God’s timeless gaze.

Verse 7-8: “We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.”

The psalm takes a contemplative turn, touching upon divine justice and human sinfulness. God’s anger is portrayed as all-consuming, reflective of His absolute holiness and righteous indignation towards sin. The phrase “secret sins” suggests that human innermost faults are fully visible to God, emphasizing divine omniscience. Living under the truth of divine scrutiny can stir a sobering awareness of human flaws and the need for repentance.

Verse 9-10: “All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.”

The psalmist reflects on the hardships and brevity of human life. Life spans are characterized by labor, sorrow, and eventual mortality. Whether one lives for seventy or eighty years, even peak moments are overshadowed by difficulties and inevitable decline. The notion “we fly away” captures the ephemeral nature of human existence, further highlighting the contrast with God’s eternal nature.

Verse 11: “If only we knew the power of your anger! Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.”

Verse 11 underscores the magnitude of God’s anger and the awe it should inspire. A true understanding of divine anger would yield profound reverence and fear (a deep respect) toward God. This reflects a theme pervasive in wisdom literature: the fear of the Lord is foundational to wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 9:10).

Verse 12: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

In recognizing life’s brevity, the psalmist petitions God for the wisdom to live intentionally and meaningfully. “Numbering our days” means acknowledging each day’s significance and fragility, encouraging a life well-lived with purpose and virtue. This is a call to treasure our finite moment in time by adhering to divine wisdom.

Verse 13:”Relent, Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants.”

Here the supplication turns more personal, beseeching God to change His mind and show mercy. The query “How long?” conveys a deep yearning for God’s compassionate intervention amidst human sufferings, reflecting a trust in God’s benevolent nature despite His just anger. It is an appeal for divine patience and kindness.

Verse 14: “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”

In this petition, the psalmist seeks God’s steadfast love to provide daily rejuvenation and joy. “Morning” can signify a new beginning, hoping each day starts with the refreshment of God’s unfaltering love, thereby imbuing lasting happiness. The desire to “sing for joy” underscores living a life enriched by divine love, characterized by enduring gladness.

Verse 15: “Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.”

The plea here is for God to balance the scales of sorrow and joy, asking for as many days of gladness to mirror the periods of suffering. It’s an earnest request for God’s justice in experiencing compensatory comfort and happiness, bearing the belief that divine benevolence can transform years of trouble into equal or greater joy.

Verse 16: “May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.”

This verse expresses a yearning to witness God’s magnificent works and for future generations to recognize His grandeur. It contains an intergenerational wish, seeking the perpetuation of God’s legacy and His wondrous acts across time, thus securing faith continuity and veneration amongst descendants.

Verse 17: “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.”

The final verse is a plea for divine favor and the permanence of human efforts. Seeking God’s favor implies a desire for His approval, presence, and blessing. Asking God to “establish the work of our hands” highlights the need for perpetuity and significance in human endeavors, trusting that only under God’s validation and sustenance can human efforts achieve lasting impact and meaning.

Conclusion

Psalms Chapter 90 is a rich, layered text addressing core themes of divine eternity, human mortality, and the interplay of divine justice and mercy. It provides a sobering reflection on the ephemeral nature of human life against God’s infinite existence. The psalm’s petitions for wisdom, compassion, and divine favor guide believers toward a life of humility, intentionality, and enduring faith. This chapter serves as a timeless meditation urging reliance on God’s eternal nature, and the pursuit of a life aligned with divine wisdom and enduring impact.