Outline of Psalm 90
I. The Eternal Dwelling Place (vs. 1-2)
- A. Lord, our refuge in all generations (v. 1)
- B. Before mountains, You are God, forever eternal (v. 2)
II. The Fragility of Man (vs. 3-6)
- A. You turn man back to dust (v. 3)
- B. A thousand years to You is like a fleeting moment (v. 4)
- C. Man is swept away like a flood or short-lived grass (v. 5-6)
A Prayer for Wisdom and Satisfaction (vs. 13-17)
- A. Return, Lord! How long will Your anger burn? (v. 13)
- B. Satisfy us with Your lovingkindness (v. 14)
- C. Let Your work be shown to Your servants and Your glory to their children (v. 16)
- D. May the Lord our God establish the work of our hands (v. 17)
Here's a breakdown of the psalm:
- Verses 1-2: The psalm
opens with a declaration of God's enduring presence as a dwelling place
for humanity throughout history. God existed before creation and will
continue to exist forever.
- Verses 3-6: The psalm
acknowledges God's power over humanity. We return to dust at God's
command, our lifespan fleeting like a flood, a watch in the night, or
grass that withers by evening.
- Verses 7-10: The
psalmist reflects on the brevity of life, cut short by God's anger and
wrath for human sin. The average lifespan is described as 70 years,
maybe 80, but filled with toil and trouble.
- Verses 11-12: The
psalmist pleads for understanding of God's anger and a desire for wisdom
to make the most of our short time. "Teach us to number our days"
becomes a plea to use our limited time wisely.Key themes in Psalm 90:
- Human mortality: Life is short and fragile compared to God's eternal existence.
- God's sovereignty: God has power over life and death.
- Importance of wisdom: We should use our limited time wisely.
- Divine mercy: A plea for God's forgiveness and compassion.
Psalm 90 is a powerful reflection on human transience in the face of God's permanence. It serves as a call to live a meaningful life in light of our mortality.
Psalms 90
90 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.
2 Before
the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth
and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
3 Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.
4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up.
6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.
7 For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.
8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.
10 The
days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of
strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and
sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
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In Psalm 90:3, the line "You turn man back to dust" speaks to the mortality and impermanence of human existence. Here's a deeper look at this verse:
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Literal Meaning: Humans are physical beings, created from dust (referencing the creation story in Genesis). When we die, our bodies return to the earth, literally becoming dust again.
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Thematic Significance: This verse emphasizes the contrast between God's eternity and humanity's temporality. We are fragile and temporary, while God is everlasting.
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Emotional Impact: This line can evoke feelings of humility and a reminder of our limitations. It can also lead to a contemplation of life's purpose and what truly matters in the face of our inevitable end.
Here are some additional points to consider:
- Connection to Creation: Returning to dust can be seen as a return to our origins, a completion of the creation cycle.
- Equality in Death: This verse applies to all humans, regardless of status or wealth. Everyone returns to the same state.
- Hope for Something Beyond:
While the verse focuses on physical death, some interpretations see it
as a starting point for reflection on the afterlife or a spiritual
existence beyond the earthly body.
This verse is a powerful reminder of our mortality but doesn't necessarily have to be a negative statement. It can be a call to live life more purposefully and seek meaning in the time we have.
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This verse, Psalm 90:5, uses powerful imagery to describe the brevity of human life. Here's a breakdown of the metaphors:
- Carried away as with a flood:
This portrays death as a sudden and overwhelming event. A flood sweeps
away everything in its path, symbolizing the swift and unpredictable
nature of death.
- They are as a sleep:
This metaphor compares death to sleep. Sleep is a temporary state,
suggesting that death may not be the end. It could also imply a peaceful
passing.
- In the morning they are like grass which groweth up:
This image represents the cycle of life and death. Just as grass
withers and dies, but then grows anew in the morning, humans may return
to the earth but life continues in some form.
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This verse, Psalm 90:4, is a powerful statement about the vast difference between God's perception of time and our own human experience. Here's a deeper look:
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The Contrast: The verse highlights the contrast between human and divine perspectives on time. A thousand years, a significant amount of time for humans, is compared to two fleeting experiences:
- Yesterday when it is past:
This metaphor emphasizes the way a day seems insignificant once it's
over. Similarly, a thousand years might hold no weight for God.
- A watch in the night: A
watch, typically 3 hours, is a short segment of nighttime. This metaphor
emphasizes the fleeting nature of time from God's eternal perspective.
-
God's Eternal Nature: This verse emphasizes God's unchanging and timeless nature. He exists outside the constraints of time as we experience it.
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Human Mortality: By highlighting God's eternal nature, the verse also underscores human mortality. We are bound by time, with a limited lifespan.
Impact of the Verse:
- Humility: Recognizing God's eternal perspective can lead to feelings of humility and a sense of awe.
- Focus on What Matters:
The contrast between human and divine perspectives can inspire us to
focus on things that have lasting value beyond our earthly existence.
- Questions about Eternity: This verse may spark questions about the nature of eternity and the possibility of an afterlife.
This powerful statement doesn't diminish the importance of our lives but encourages us to see them within a broader context.
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This line, Psalm 90:12, is a powerful plea from the psalmist, likely Moses, to God. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
The Request:
- Teach us to number our days: This doesn't mean simply counting down the days until we die, but rather gaining a deeper understanding of the brevity of life.
- Apply our hearts unto wisdom: The psalmist is asking God for the wisdom to use the limited time we have wisely.
The Underlying Message:
- Awareness of Mortality: Recognizing the limited nature of life motivates us to make the most of it.
- Seeking Wisdom: This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom to guide our choices and actions during our short time on earth.
- Living with Purpose: By understanding the brevity of life, we are encouraged to focus on things that have lasting value and live with purpose.
Connection to the Psalm:
This line connects back to the earlier verses in Psalm 90 that discuss the contrast between God's eternity and human mortality. Because our lives are short, it's crucial to use them wisely.
Overall Significance:
This verse offers a profound message about living a meaningful life. It's a call to:
- Appreciate the preciousness of time.
- Seek wisdom to guide our decisions.
- Focus on what truly matters in the grand scheme of things.
By internalizing this message, we can approach life with a renewed sense of purpose and make the most of the time we have been given.
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This line, Psalm 90:9, carries a complex message about the human condition and our relationship with God. Here's a breakdown of its meaning and some different interpretations:
-
Literal Meaning:
- "For all our days are passed away in thy
wrath": This can be interpreted as humans living under God's judgment or
experiencing the consequences of their transgressions.
- "We spend our years as a tale that is
told": This metaphor emphasizes the
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This verse, Psalm 90:10, touches on a few key themes related to human life:
Limited Lifespan:
- The verse mentions a typical lifespan of 70 years, with a possibility of reaching 80 if one is strong.
- This statement acknowledges the limited nature of human existence.
Difficulties of Life:
- Even the "best" years, those filled with strength, are described as "labour and sorrow."
- This suggests that life is inherently challenging, with struggles and hardships.
Fleeting Nature of Time:
- The verse uses the phrase "it is soon cut off" to emphasize the swift passage of time.
- Our lifespan is compared to something that is quickly "cut off," highlighting its brevity.
- The image of "we fly away" adds to the sense of impermanence, suggesting we disappear quickly.
In Conclusion:
Psalm 90:10 offers a poignant reflection on human life. It acknowledges our limitations and the challenges we face, but it can also inspire us to live more meaningfully in the time we have been given.
Here's a list of some animals and their typical lifespans:
- Mammals:
- Humans: 70-80 years
- Elephants: 60-70 years
- Chimpanzees: 40-60 years
- Dogs: 10-20 years (depending on breed)
- Cats: 12-15 years (indoor cats can live longer)
- Whales: 50-100 years (depending on species)