God's Eternal Nature
Psalm 90:2 declares, Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. This verse emphasizes God's eternal existence, highlighting His sovereignty and unchanging nature.

Human Frailty
Verses 3-6 remind us of the brevity of human life: You return man to dust, saying, 'Return, O sons of mortals.' For in Your sight a thousand years are but a day that passes, or a watch of the night. This imagery underscores our mortality and the fleeting nature of our days.

The Consequence of Sin
Verses 7-11 speak to the reality of God's wrath against sin: For we are consumed by Your anger and terrified by Your wrath. This section calls us to recognize the seriousness of sin and its impact on our lives.

A Plea for Wisdom
In verse 12, Moses prays, So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom. This is a call to live with an awareness of our limited time and to seek God's wisdom in how we use it.

God's Compassion and Favor
The psalm concludes with a plea for God's mercy and favor: Satisfy us in the morning with Your loving devotion, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days (verse 14). This reflects a desire for God's presence and blessing throughout our lives.Reflect on God's Eternity
Spend time in prayer and meditation, acknowledging God's eternal nature and His sovereignty over time.

Live with Purpose
Consider how you can make the most of your days by aligning your life with God's will and seeking His wisdom.

Acknowledge Human Limitations
Recognize your own mortality and the need for God's grace in every aspect of life.

Seek God's Favor
Regularly pray for God's mercy, compassion, and favor in your life and the lives of others.1. God (Yahweh)
The eternal and sovereign Creator, who is described as the dwelling place for all generations. The Hebrew term used is "אֲדֹנָי" (Adonai) in verse 1, emphasizing His lordship and eternal nature. The psalm reflects on God's timelessness and His role as the judge of human actions.

2. Moses
Although not directly mentioned in the text of the psalm itself, the title attributes the psalm to Moses, "A prayer of Moses, the man of God." Moses is traditionally seen as the author, offering a prayer that reflects on the brevity of human life in contrast to God's eternity.

3. Humanity (Man)
Referred to in the context of human frailty and mortality. The psalm speaks of humans returning to dust, highlighting the transient nature of human life. The Hebrew word "אֱנוֹשׁ" (enosh) is used in verse 3, which often denotes human weakness and mortality.1. Dwelling Place
The psalm begins with the acknowledgment of God as a "dwelling place" for all generations (Psalm 90:1). The Hebrew word used here is "מָעוֹן" (ma'on), which signifies a habitation or refuge, emphasizing God's eternal presence and protection.

2. Everlasting to Everlasting
This phrase (Psalm 90:2) describes God's eternal nature, transcending time and creation. It is not a physical place but a conceptual one, highlighting God's infinite existence.

3. Dust
In Psalm 90:3, humans are described as returning to "dust," referencing Genesis 3:19. The Hebrew word "עָפָר" (afar) signifies the earth or ground, symbolizing human mortality and the transient nature of life.

4. Secret Place
Although not explicitly mentioned in Psalm 90, the concept of a "secret place" is often associated with God's presence in the Psalms. It is a metaphorical place of intimacy and protection with God.1. Acknowledgment of God's Eternal Nature
The psalm begins by acknowledging God as the eternal refuge for generations. "Lord, You have been our dwelling place through all generations" (Psalm 90:1). The Hebrew word for "dwelling place" (מָעוֹן, ma'on) signifies a place of refuge or habitation.

2. God's Creation and Timelessness
The psalmist reflects on God's creation of the world and His existence beyond time. "Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God" (Psalm 90:2). The Hebrew term "everlasting" (עוֹלָם, olam) emphasizes God's infinite nature.

3. Human Mortality
The psalm contrasts God's eternity with human mortality. "You return man to dust, saying, 'Return, O sons of mortals'" (Psalm 90:3). The Hebrew word for "dust" (עָפָר, afar) recalls the creation of man from the earth in Genesis.

4. The Transience of Time
The brevity of human life is compared to a watch in the night. "For in Your sight a thousand years are but a day that passes, or a watch of the night" (Psalm 90:4). The concept of a "watch" (אַשְׁמוּרָה, ash'murah) refers to a division of the night into periods for keeping guard.

5. Life's Fleeting Nature
Human life is described as fleeting, like grass that flourishes and withers. "In the morning it springs up new; by evening it fades and withers" (Psalm 90:6). This imagery highlights the temporary nature of life.

6. God's Anger and Human Sinfulness
The psalmist acknowledges human sin and God's righteous anger. "For we are consumed by Your anger and terrified by Your wrath" (Psalm 90:7). The Hebrew word for "anger" (אַף, aph) conveys a sense of divine displeasure.

7. The Shortness of Life
The typical lifespan is described, emphasizing its brevity and toil. "The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away" (Psalm 90:10).

8. A Plea for Wisdom
The psalmist asks God to teach them to number their days to gain wisdom. "So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). The Hebrew word for "wisdom" (חָכְמָה, chokmah) implies skillful living.

9. A Cry for Compassion and Joy
The psalmist seeks God's compassion and joy to replace their affliction. "Satisfy us in the morning with Your loving devotion, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days" (Psalm 90:14). The term "loving devotion" (חֶסֶד, chesed) refers to God's steadfast love.

10. A Request for God's Favor
The psalm concludes with a plea for God's favor and the establishment of their work. "May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish for us the work of our hands—yes, establish the work of our hands!" (Psalm 90:17). The Hebrew word for "favor" (נֹעַם, no'am) suggests pleasantness or grace.James 4:14
You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. This verse echoes the theme of life's brevity found in Psalm 90.

2 Peter 3:8
With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. This New Testament passage reflects the timeless nature of God.

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. This verse connects to the plea for wisdom in Psalm 90:12. Praise God for His Eternal Nature
Thank God for His unchanging and everlasting presence.

Confession and Repentance
Acknowledge areas of sin in your life and seek God's forgiveness and cleansing.

Request for Wisdom
Ask God to teach you to number your days and to grant you a heart of wisdom.

Seek God's Favor and Compassion
Pray for God's loving devotion to satisfy and sustain you throughout your life.

As we study Psalm 90, may we be reminded of the greatness of God and the preciousness of the time He has given us. Let us live each day with purpose, seeking His wisdom and favor.

1. How does the contrast between God's eternity and human fraility in Psalm 90 influence your perspective on life?

2. How can understanding the brevity of life lead us to wisdom, as mentioned in verse 12?

3. In what ways do you seek God's guidance and favor in your life, as Moses did in verses 13-17?

4. How does the concept of God being our dwelling place resonate with you personally?

5. How can the message of Psalm 90 influence your daily decisions?

6. Moses speaks about God's wrath in relation to human sin. How does this challenge you to evaluate your actions and choices?

7. In what ways can you apply Moses's prayer for wisdom to number our days in your own life?

8. What does it mean for God to "establish the work of our hands"? How can this principle be applied in your personal and professional life?

9. How does the concept of God's eternity bring you comfort in times of uncertainty?

10. How can Psalm 90 guide you in your prayers for mercy and guidance?

11. In the face of life's transience, how can we find joy as mentioned in verse 15?

12. How does understanding God's wrath help us realize the gravity of our actions and the need for repentance?

13. How does Psalm 90 encourage you to seek God's presence and love?

14. How does the phrase "our dwelling place" depict the relationship between God and humanity?

15. What life lessons can we glean from the comparison of human life to grass in verses 5-6?

16. How can you practically "number your days" in light of Psalm 90?

17. In what ways does Psalm 90 challenge your understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity?

18. How can the truths from Psalm 90 guide us in our response to life's trials and tribulations?

19. How does Moses's plea for God's favor in verse 17 resonate with your personal aspirations?

20. How does Psalm 90 inspire you to lean on God's eternal nature in the midst of life's fleeting and changeable circumstances?