Meaning of Psalms 90:10

This psalm, attributed to Moses, reflects on the brevity and often arduous nature of human life, contrasting it with the eternal nature of God. The verse acknowledges the typical lifespan of individuals, noting that while seventy or eighty years might be considered long, the entirety of that time is characterized by hardship and fleeting experiences. The imagery of "flying away" emphasizes the rapid and inevitable departure from this life, underscoring the transient quality of human existence in the face of God's enduring presence.

Context and Background

Psalm 90 is traditionally understood as a prayer of Moses, likely composed during the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites. This context is crucial; it's a lament and reflection from a leader witnessing the consequences of sin and the passage of generations, all within the harsh realities of desert survival. The psalm is a deeply theological meditation on human mortality, God's sovereignty, and the need for divine wisdom and favor. The verse specifically addresses the limitations of human life, setting a somber but realistic tone that pervades the psalm.

Key Themes and Messages

• Human Transience: The central theme is the ephemeral nature of human life. The numbers "seventy" and "eighty" represent a generous lifespan for ancient times, yet even this extended period is deemed short and ultimately filled with "trouble and sorrow."
• The Passage of Time: The phrase "quickly pass, and we fly away" vividly illustrates how swiftly life concludes. It's not a slow fade but a rapid departure, akin to a bird in flight.
• The Suffering of Life: The acknowledgment that the "best of them are but trouble and sorrow" is a stark assessment of the human condition, often marked by pain, loss, and struggle.
• God's Eternity vs. Human Finitude: Implicitly, the verse contrasts human lifespan with God's eternal nature, a theme powerfully developed throughout the psalm.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse serves as a powerful memento mori, a reminder of our mortality. It calls believers to reflect on the purpose and stewardship of the time God has granted them. Instead of succumbing to despair, the understanding of life's brevity can motivate a deeper pursuit of eternal values and a reliance on God's grace. It encourages humility, recognizing our dependence on God for strength and wisdom to navigate the inevitable difficulties of life, and to live with an eternal perspective.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The theme of human frailty and the brevity of life is a recurring motif in Scripture. From the curse in Genesis following the Fall, which brought death and hardship into the world, to the New Testament emphasis on the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits, this verse resonates with a consistent biblical worldview. The New Testament, particularly, offers a counterpoint to the lament of Psalm 90 by pointing to the resurrection and eternal life through Christ, transforming the sting of death into a gateway to something greater.

Analogies

• A Flickering Candle: Human life is like a candle that burns brightly for a time but is inevitably extinguished, its flame quickly disappearing.
• A Passing Cloud: Our days are like clouds in the sky, appearing for a season and then drifting away, leaving no lasting trace of their presence.
• A Dream Upon Waking: The experiences of life, when viewed in retrospect, can feel as insubstantial and fleeting as a dream that vanishes upon waking.

Relation to Other Verses

• Genesis 3:19: "By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return." This foundational passage establishes the reality of death as a consequence of sin, aligning with Psalm 90's assessment of life's difficulties.
• Job 14:1-2: "Man, born of woman, is of few days and full of trouble. He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not." Job's lament echoes the sentiment of Psalm 90 regarding the brevity and suffering of human existence.
• James 4:14: "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James similarly emphasizes the uncertainty and transience of life, reinforcing the message of Psalm 90.
• 1 Corinthians 7:29-31: "But this I say, brothers, the time is short. So, from now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, those who weep as though they were not weeping, those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who use the world as though they were not using it to the full, for the present form of this world is passing away." The Apostle Paul also calls for an awareness of life's limited time and a reorientation of priorities towards eternal matters.