The Eternal God and the Frailty of Man Ps. 90:1-17

Big Idea: In light of God’s eternal greatness and man’s fleeting life, we must live wisely, depend on God’s mercy, and seek His lasting favor.

Introduction:

Time is one of those things that we all experience but often take for granted. Days, months, years, and even decades pass before we realize how much time has slipped away. Psalm 90 is a reflection on the brevity of life, authored by Moses, who had seen the passage of time in a unique way. He watched a generation perish in the wilderness due to disobedience. Moses knew firsthand the frailty of life, yet he also knew the eternal nature of God. This psalm, therefore, is a meditation on the vastness of God’s eternity in contrast with the fleeting nature of human existence.

Moses’s words give us not only a sobering reminder of our mortality but also an invitation to live wisely, acknowledging the eternity of God, seeking His mercy, and depending on His grace.

As we dive into this psalm, let’s ask ourselves: In light of the brevity of life, how should we live? How do we respond to the God who is eternal, who has made us frail but has also given us the grace to live wisely?

I. God Is Our Eternal Refuge (vv. 1–2)

"Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." (Psalm 90:1-2)

God is our eternal refuge. Moses begins with a declaration of God’s eternality. He calls God “our dwelling place,” which communicates the idea of God being our home, our place of safety and refuge. Moses had seen the Israelites wander in the wilderness, but God was their constant, unmovable shelter. No matter how much the world around them changed, God was their safe haven, and this truth is true for us as well.

Cross-reference:

Psalm 46:1 – "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Psalm 91:1 – "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

God is eternal. In the second verse, Moses highlights the eternal nature of God. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth…” God existed before time itself began. The mountains, which are stable and enduring to us, are mere fleeting creations compared to God’s eternal existence. God is not bound by time. He exists “from everlasting to everlasting.” This speaks to the immensity and transcendence of God. While we live within the confines of time, God stands outside of it, sovereign and unchanging.

Cross-reference:

Isaiah 40:28 – "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding."

Revelation 1:8 – "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."

Application: In a world full of transitions and uncertainties, we can take comfort in the truth that God is unchanging. When everything else in life feels uncertain, we can find security in His eternal presence. Life will change, people will come and go, but God remains forever. This reality calls us to depend on Him, not the fleeting things of the world.

II. Man’s Life Is Short and Fragile (vv. 3–6)

"Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men. For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night." (Psalm 90:3-4)

Human life is fragile and fleeting. Moses reflects on the fragility of human life. He declares that our lives are like a vapor, destined to return to dust. We are “turned to destruction” by God’s sovereign will, which reminds us of the reality of death and the consequences of sin. The frailty of life is a direct result of the fall of mankind (Genesis 3:19). Our time here on earth is limited, and as much as we try to preserve it, death is inevitable.

Cross-reference:

James 4:14 – "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

Hebrews 9:27 – "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."

God’s perspective on time. Moses says that to God, “a thousand years are as yesterday when it is past.” God is not constrained by time in the way we are. To us, a thousand years may seem like a long time, but to God, it is as brief as a single day or even a fleeting moment. This comparison helps us understand that our temporal existence, while significant, is only a brief moment in the scope of eternity.

Cross-reference:

2 Peter 3:8 – "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."

Psalm 102:12 – "But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations."

Application: Life is short. The psalm reminds us to live with an awareness of our mortality. How often do we get caught up in the trivial concerns of life, chasing after things that are fleeting? We must live with an eternal perspective, understanding that our days are numbered and that we will give an account to God for how we live.

III. God’s Wrath Reveals Our Need for Mercy (vv. 7–11)

"For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance." (Psalm 90:7-8)

Sin brings judgment. Moses recognizes that humanity’s sin brings God's judgment. Because of our sin, we are “consumed” by God’s anger. Sin is not just a moral failing—it is an offense against a holy, eternal God. Our rebellion against God’s law leads to brokenness and judgment. The psalmist acknowledges that God sees our iniquities, even those sins we may think are hidden from others. There is no sin that can be concealed from God's sight.

Cross-reference:

Romans 3:23 – "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

Ecclesiastes 12:14 – "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

God sees everything. Moses emphasizes that all sin is before God. Nothing is hidden. Even our “secret sins” are laid bare before His holiness. This truth is both convicting and sobering. It reminds us that we cannot hide from God. The reality of God’s wrath should drive us to a place of humility and repentance.

Cross-reference:

Luke 12:2-3 – "For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known."

Hebrews 4:13 – "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."

Application: We are often quick to justify or hide our sins, but the psalm reminds us that God sees everything. There is no sin too small or too hidden to escape His notice. The proper response is to confess our sins, acknowledge them before God, and seek His forgiveness. Our sins may bring temporary satisfaction, but they lead to destruction. Only in God’s mercy can we find true forgiveness and healing.

IV. Living Wisely in Light of Eternity (vv. 12–17)

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)

Live with wisdom. Moses prays, “Teach us to number our days.” This is a prayer for perspective. We are often careless with time, taking for granted the days we have been given. But Moses teaches us that wisdom begins with recognizing the brevity of life. “Numbering our days” means living intentionally and with purpose, not wasting the time we have on things that don’t matter.

Cross-reference:

Ephesians 5:15-16 – "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

Proverbs 4:7 – "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."

A prayer for satisfaction in God’s mercy. Moses goes on to pray that God would “satisfy us early with thy mercy.” The satisfaction we seek in life does not come from wealth, success, or pleasure, but from experiencing God’s mercy. Only God's love can fill the void in our hearts. Moses reminds us that satisfaction comes not in the fleeting things of this world, but in the eternal mercy of God.

Cross-reference:

Psalm 63:3 – "Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee."

John 4:14 – "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

God’s favor and the work of our hands. Finally, Moses prays that God would “establish the work of our hands.” The work we do on this earth is meaningful when done for God's glory. Our efforts are not in vain when we align them with God’s will. This is a prayer for God to bless and make our lives fruitful, ensuring that our labor has eternal significance.

Cross-reference:

1 Corinthians 15:58 – "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

Colossians 3:23-24 – "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."

Application: The way we live matters. If we truly understood the shortness of our lives, we would live with greater purpose. Every action, every choice should be aligned with eternal values. Let us use our time wisely, not for selfish gain or fleeting pleasures, but for the glory of God.

Conclusion:

Psalm 90 gives us a beautiful and sobering reminder of the nature of God and the fragility of life. While our lives are short, God is eternal. He is the refuge and strength we can lean on in times of uncertainty. This psalm invites us to live with purpose, wisdom, and a deep dependence on God’s mercy.

In light of our mortality, let us ask God to help us number our days, live wisely, and seek His favor so that our lives may bring glory to Him, now and forevermore.