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The prayer implies —

I. THAT THERE IS A CERTAIN JUDGMENT TO BE FORMED AS TO THE DURATION OF AN EARTHLY LIFE. What is it? Not the exact hour, scene, or circumstances of our end. We thank Heaven for concealing all this. Ignorance of this is —

1. Essential to our practical watchfulness.

2. To our personal enjoyment.

3. To our social usefulness. It means that we should have a practical impression that life here is temporary and preparative.

II. THAT THERE IS A TENDENCY IN MAN TO NEGLECT THE FORMATION OF SUCH A JUDGMENT. Why this tendency?

1. Not from the want of circumstances to suggest it. History, observation, experience — all remind us every day of our end.

2. Not from any doubt that we have about the importance of realizing it. All acknowledge the importance. But —

(1)  From the secularity of one controlling purpose.

(2)  From the instinctive repugnance that we have to death.

(3)  From the moral dread of future retribution.

(4)  From the delusive suggestions of the tempter. "Ye shall not surely die."

III. THAT THE FORMATION OF A CORRECT JUDGMENT IS ESSENTIAL TO PRACTICAL WISDOM. "That we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

1. Such judgment would serve to impress us with the connection between this life and the future.

2. It would serve to moderate our affections in relation to this earth.

3. It would serve to reconcile us to the arrangements of Providence. We are pilgrims, voyagers, scholars.

4. It would serve to stimulate us to render all the circumstances of this life subservient to a higher. Time is bearing us and all away.

(Homilist.)

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KJV: So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

WEB: So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.