What is the main message of Psalm 90?

Psalm 90 is a profound and reflective piece of scripture that delves into the nature of human existence in relation to the eternal nature of God. Attributed to Moses, this psalm is unique in the Psalter for its authorship and its deeply contemplative tone. It stands as a meditation on the brevity of human life, the eternality of God, and the wisdom that comes from understanding these truths.

The psalm begins with an affirmation of God's eternal nature and His role as the dwelling place for all generations:

"Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." (Psalm 90:1-2, NIV)

This opening sets the stage for the central message of the psalm: the contrast between God's eternal nature and human transience. The psalmist acknowledges that God exists beyond time, having created the world and existing from everlasting to everlasting. This acknowledgment of God's eternal nature serves as a backdrop against which the brevity and frailty of human life are starkly contrasted.

The next section (verses 3-6) emphasizes human mortality. The psalmist reflects on how God turns people back to dust, a reference to Genesis 3:19, where God tells Adam that he will return to the ground from which he was taken. This imagery of returning to dust underscores the fleeting nature of human life. The psalmist continues:

"A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night." (Psalm 90:4, NIV)

Here, the psalmist uses poetic language to highlight the vast difference between God's perception of time and human experience. What seems like a long duration to humans is but a moment to God. This perspective is meant to humble the reader, reminding us of our limited time on earth.

Verses 7-11 delve into the reasons for human frailty, attributing it to God's righteous judgment against sin. The psalmist laments that human life is consumed by God's anger and wrath, which is a response to human iniquity:

"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." (Psalm 90:7-8, NIV)

This acknowledgment of sin and divine judgment serves as a sobering reminder of the human condition. It underscores the need for humility and repentance, recognizing that our lives are under God's sovereign judgment.

The psalm then moves to a poignant reflection on the brevity of life:

"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." (Psalm 90:9-10, NIV)

This passage is one of the most well-known in the psalm, often quoted to emphasize the shortness of human life. The psalmist notes that even a long life is filled with trouble and sorrow and that it passes quickly. This reflection leads to a plea for wisdom:

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12, NIV)

This verse is central to the psalm's message. The psalmist asks God to help us understand the brevity of life so that we may live wisely. This wisdom is not merely intellectual but is a deep, spiritual understanding that leads to a life lived in accordance with God's will.

The final section of the psalm (verses 13-17) is a prayer for God's compassion and favor. The psalmist asks God to relent and have mercy on His servants:

"Relent, Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." (Psalm 90:13-14, NIV)

This plea for God's compassion is a recognition of human dependence on divine grace. The psalmist seeks God's unfailing love as the source of true joy and satisfaction. The prayer continues with a request for God's work to be shown to His servants and for His favor to rest upon them:

"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." (Psalm 90:17, NIV)

This closing verse emphasizes the desire for God's blessing on human endeavors. It acknowledges that without God's favor, human efforts are ultimately futile. The psalmist seeks God's blessing to give lasting significance to our work and lives.

In summary, the main message of Psalm 90 is a meditation on the eternal nature of God contrasted with the fleeting nature of human life. It calls for humility, repentance, and a deep awareness of our dependence on God's grace and wisdom. The psalm encourages us to live wisely, recognizing the brevity of life and seeking God's favor and compassion. It is a profound reminder of our mortality and the need to live in a way that honors the eternal God, who is our dwelling place throughout all generations.