Psalms 90:12

Context of Psalms 90:12

Psalm 90 is a profound prayer attributed to Moses, making it one of the oldest and most significant psalms in the Bible. It stands as a stark contrast between the eternal nature of God and the fleeting, temporary existence of humanity. The preceding verses lament the brevity and toil of human life, acknowledging that our days are quickly past due to God's righteous judgment against sin (Psalm 90:7-9). Against this backdrop of human fragility and mortality, verse 12 emerges as a heartfelt plea for divine wisdom to rightly perceive and manage the precious, limited time we have on earth.

Key Themes and Messages

• Awareness of Mortality: The phrase "teach us to number our days" is a direct petition to God to grant us a deep, sober understanding of the finite nature of our lives. It's not about counting chronologically, but about recognizing the limited quantity and precious quality of each day. This awareness is crucial for living intentionally.
• Seeking Divine Wisdom: The ultimate goal of numbering our days is "that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." This isn't merely human cleverness or intellectual knowledge, but a practical, spiritual wisdom that shapes our priorities, decisions, and actions. It's wisdom that comes from God, enabling us to live in alignment with His will and eternal purposes. This resonates with the call to ask God for wisdom found in the New Testament.
• Purposeful Living: An acute awareness of life's brevity should not lead to despair or recklessness, but to a profound sense of purpose. When we truly grasp that our days are numbered, we are compelled to make the most of the time we have, investing it in what truly matters for eternity, rather than trivial pursuits.
• Stewardship of Time: The verse highlights time as a precious gift from God, calling us to be wise stewards of it. It encourages a reflective and deliberate approach to life, valuing each moment as an opportunity to grow in faith and glorify God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "number our days" is manah yamenu (מָנֹוֹת יָמֵינוּ), which implies not just a simple count, but a measurement or estimation that leads to a profound understanding of their limited quantity. It's about gaining perspective. The phrase "apply our hearts" comes from navi levav (נָבִיא לֵבָב), meaning to bring or direct one's inner being, will, and affections toward wisdom. The "heart" in Hebrew thought represents the totality of a person's inner life – intellect, will, emotion – emphasizing a wholehearted commitment to wisdom.

Practical Application and Reflection

Psalms 90:12 offers a timeless challenge for believers today. In a world often consumed by distractions and the pursuit of temporary pleasures, this verse calls us to pause and reflect on our mortality. It prompts us to consider:

• How do we prioritize our time? Are we investing in what truly matters, or are we allowing fleeting concerns to dominate our schedule?
• Are we actively seeking God's wisdom? This wisdom guides us in making decisions that honor God and build His kingdom, not just our own. As Proverbs 9:10 teaches, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."
• Are we living with an eternal perspective? Recognizing the brevity of life (often compared to a vapor in James 4:14) should motivate us to live purposefully, making every day count for Christ.

Ultimately, this verse is a prayer that acknowledges our human limitations and dependence on God for insight. It encourages us to pray for divine perspective, so that we may live wisely, making the most of the time God has graciously given us.