The theme of Psalm 90 focuses on making the most of the short lifespan that we have as mortal human
beings. The passage speaks of death as ‘returning to dust’, and discusses the total lifespan of man as being transitory, like an ordinary grass of the field. It also describes what humans proudly refer to as ‘glorious years’ as ‘a short lifespan spent in serious labour and great sorrow’. Therefore, Psalm 90 discusses the concept of human life with such an unpleasant and derogatory language that it calls to mind the need to find a way of making the best out of life. The situation is made worse by the complimentary witness of other Bible passages such as Ecclesiastes 1:2: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.”

Job 14:1-2 that says: “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.”

Furthermore, the experience of life tallies with the Word of God in the most perfect sense, as revealed in the biblical testimonies of people such as Moses, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Esther, Ruth, David, Solomon, Elijah, John the Baptist, and the Apostles. The stories of the life of these people of God are full of hard labour, uncertainty, disappointment, betrayal, persecution, failure, and death. Though these people were mostly prophets and anointed kings, yet their stories show that they ended well only by divine intervention. Bible scholars generally identified Moses as the author of Psalm 90. The counsel of this great prophet who succeeded in life despite having his own fair share of troubles and tribulations should therefore be taken seriously. Psalm 90:12 says: “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

True wisdom comes from God alone and it is quite different from worldly wisdom that is based on human cleverness, insight, and intuition without God’s revelation which brings little profit. This passage speaks of the ability to make the most of our time in this world, despite the brevity of life. To do this requires a new understanding of the meaning of life. To number our days is to value the time we have by using it for eternal purposes. Focusing on eternity which then produces a heart of wisdom, enables a child of God to live in line with the Word of God.

Godly wisdom is made available by digging deep into the Word of God. It is received through total submission to the will of God, imparted to Christians by God’s Holy Spirit, and graciously given in responses to the fervent prayers of the saints of God. As you begin in response to the fervent prayers of the saints of God and you dig deeper into the Word of God in total submission to His will in prayers, He will pour down His heavenly wisdom upon your life in Jesus’ name.