Blink and It's Gone

Here we are, standing at the doorstep of a brand-new year, scratching our heads and wondering if 2023 sneaked past us in a ninja costume! Was it just me, or did we all just blink and miss half the year in the time it takes to decide on a New Year's resolution?

Seriously, did someone hit the fast-forward button on life while we were busy mastering the art of binge-watching? It's as if 2023 is leaving us all in a comical game of 'Where did the year go?'

Today, we dive into Psalm 90 where it’s the only psalm attributed to Moses’ authorship, most likely in view of Israel’s wilderness experience in the book of Numbers.

In this text, Moses shares some big ideas about the temporary fragile nature of humanity in comparison with the everlasting nature of God. This psalm describes that man’s time on Earth is short because of the consequences of sin under God's judgment. And in the final section, Moses expresses humility in his plea for God’s mercy and grace.

Psalm 90 (ESV)

A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place

in all generations.

2 Before the mountains were brought forth,

or ever you had formed the earth and the world,

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3 You return man to dust

and say, “Return, O children of man!”

4 For a thousand years in your sight

are but as yesterday when it is past,

or as a watch in the night.

5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,

like grass that is renewed in the morning:

6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;

in the evening it fades and withers.

7 For we are brought to an end by your anger;

by your wrath we are dismayed.

8 You have set our iniquities before you,

our secret sins in the light of your presence.

9 For all our days pass away under your wrath;

we bring our years to an end like a sigh.

10 The years of our life are seventy,

or even by reason of strength eighty;

yet their span is but toil and trouble;

they are soon gone, and we fly away.

11 Who considers the power of your anger,

and your wrath according to the fear of you?

12 So teach us to number our days

that we may get a heart of wisdom.

13 Return, O Lord! How long?

Have pity on your servants!

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,

that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,

and for as many years as we have seen evil.

16 Let your work be shown to your servants,

and your glorious power to their children.

17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,

and establish the work of our hands upon us;

yes, establish the work of our hands!

Psalm 90 gives us insight why human life is short and frail, calling us for a “heart of wisdom” satisfied by God’s “covenant-loyal love”.

Let me break it down starting with...

v.1-6 The everlasting God, the temporary man.

Psalm 90:1-6 talks about how different God is from humans. In humility, Moses acknowledges that God is the dwelling place forever (ie: protecting shelter) for people who trusts in Him because He is everlasting (verses 1–2).

In verse 2, “the mountains” is often associated with divine residences or divine visitation in the ancient near East. The psalmist is likely demonstrating that God is superior to other deities by emphasising that He is older than the places where other deities supposedly live.

In verse 3 the word for "dust" means “to be crushed like dust”, used only here in the Old Testament. Elsewhere it refers to those who are “crushed” in spirit or contrite of heart (see Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 57:15). If one understands this nuance here, then v. 3 is observing that God leads mankind to repentance (the term שׁוּב, shuv, “return,” which appears twice in this verse, is sometimes used of repentance.)

In verses 4-6 a "watch in the night" is a metaphor for short time, maybe about four hours. It's when people sleep, so it goes quickly. Human life is described like grass that dries up in the heat of the day, and God takes people away to death.

This shows that human life is weak and short, easily destroyed when compared to God, who is everlasting.

Despite of how far our world breaks the barriers of man’s limitations; extending human life and making it more resilient, our world will never attain nor even come close to the longevity and strength of God. We become fools in attempting to advance it on our own wisdom, the only guarantee it bring is it leads to death.

Just as Moses humbly recognised man’s life is short and frail, we too must humbly recognise this.

The reason for our short and frail lives...

v. 7-11 Humanity’s sin provoke God’s anger and judgement.

Man’s life is short-lived because of God’s judgement against sin.

In verses 7-8, the psalmist said that man is consumed by God’s wrath, His anger and judgment upon humanity is a result of human sin. He sees man’s sins; even so-called secret sins are open to Him.

We are not only mortal and fragile, we are also accountable to God and liable to judgment.

Verses 9-11, reflects on the realities of life before God. It directly relates the difficulty of life to judgment from God which also entails of fearing Him.

“the fear due” means placing all other potential objects of fear or reverence in perspective and revering God above else. It involves deeply honouring and respecting God.

It is sad to think that life can end sadly and having more days means more sadness. Sure, life has its bright moments, but when we take a step back, the main thing we all share is marked by sorrow and sadness because of sin, and we can't avoid being responsible to God, who really hates sin.

For many of us, it is easier to trust in His wrath than His grace.

Since we are weak and liable to judgment, the final section of Psalm 90 describes the wisdom in responding to God’s power and wrath...

v. 12-17 Prayer for mercy and grace.

This final section presents the foremost element of biblical wisdom: submission to God.

The psalmist pleaded with the Lord to have compassion on His servants (cf. v. 16). Moses believed this was their only hope, he asked God to turn their sorrow into joy (cf. v. 10). If God satisfied them with His loyal love (ḥeseḏ), they could then rejoice all their days. Asking God to let them rejoice for as long as He had given them over to trouble.

Verses 14–15 hints that Israel was going through a really tough chastisement because of their sins, like a “very dark night”. The “morning” suggests hope for a new time of joy for God's people.

Have any of you wondered why Jesus only lived for around 33 years? God could have ordained for Jesus to live 100 years - imagine the amount of good God can do in that time.... BUT...

Through God's wisdom, Jesus Christ showed humanity how a short and frail life can still be wholly pleasing and devoted to God, even while facing the limitations of being human. (Matthew 12:18, John 4:34 )

John 4:34 ESV

34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.

Jesus Christ is the heart of wisdom, calling out to all humanity to learn from Him and made righteous through Him to live in God’s image in His kingdom. (Proverbs 1:20, 1 Corinthians 1:18-30, James 3:13-18)

1 Corinthians 1:30 ESV

30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

Jesus Christ is our dwelling place forever, carried the weight of God's anger and judgment against humanity's sins for those who choose to have faith and place their trust in Him. (Isaiah 55:7, John 1:14, Romans 6:4-8)

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus Christ is our contentment throughout our days, the new “morning” filled with gladness, resting in God’s covenant-loyal love which does not change. (Psalm 16:11, 73:26, Philippians 4:13 )

Philippians 4:13 ESV

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

So let us...

Recognise that our time is short, so it's crucial to live wisely. (v. 12)

Cry for compassion from a merciful and gracious God. (v. 13)

Endure life's hardships and difficulties by embracing a fresh start every morning in Jesus Christ. (v.14)

Seek and know Jesus where wisdom, fullness of joy and His unchanging love can remain with us every single day. (v. 15)

Jesus Christ not only opens himself to us as our dwelling place, He also shares Himself with us as God’s favour and blessing.

We who see how time waits for no one, how life is short, and how God angers and judges sin, are made partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:2–4) in all its glory and beauty.

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J. A. Motyer, “The Psalms,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 545.

John D. Barry, Douglas Mangum, et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Ps 90:2.

Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Ps 90:3.

Wisdom is expressed in an impassioned plea to God for mercy, not a detached, analytical stance.

Even in our own wilderness experience, God’s covenant-loyal love is expressed in the person of Jesus Christ.

in our few short time, seek and live by God’s wisdom.

in our fragility, rely on the eternal nature of God through Jesus Christ.

in our sins, humble and turn away from a life of darkness and run towards the light of Christ who gives eternal life.

Moses probably felt at some point that he got more than what he bargained for in leading Israel out of Egypt; it should have only taken a few weeks to reach promise land, and the Israelites would have expressed a gratitude that lasted longer but instead it has taken 40 years along with continuous grumbling of the Israelites.

Because of the people’s sin, Moses would suffer too. Psalm 90 gives us a wonderful insight on how Moses would respond to the decades of journey and the never-ending grumbling of the people; he pleas for God’s favour, asks him to bless them “Psalm 90:15 “15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil.” Moses would have realised the long road ahead of them, and he’s asking God for his mercy.

Israel wanting to go back to Egypt is not just a theme but also a biblical metaphor for doubting God, turning away from him and living into ourselves.

If you don’t bring your doubt TO God, your doubt will drive you FROM God.