stephen R Harrison

I’ve preached Psalm 90 at funerals for 25 years. It’s the oldest Psalm. It was written by Moses, most likely during his wandering wilderness experience in the last 40 years of his life.

Moses lived his first 40 years in pagan Egypt, his middle 40 years as a humble shepherd, and his last 40 years wandering in the wilderness with complaining and sinful people. In those final years, his sister died, his brother died, and he wandered (according to Numbers 33) in at least 42 different places. Can you imagine moving 42 times after the age of 80?

First, Moses teaches us in Psalms 90 that no matter where you live, wander, or the condition of those, “The Lord is our dwelling place throughout all generations” (v. 1). God the Creator was there before Moses and the trouble he faced existed. God would be there after the trouble was over. God was “home” throughout it all. For Moses, home wasn’t a place. It was a Person. 

Second, Moses teaches us to number our days. Moses lived 120 years. David lived only 70. Moses said we might live 70 years, 80 if we’re strong enough, but be sure that they “quickly pass” and “fly away” (v. 10).  It’s true, our days are numbered. While we count our birthdays in years, Moses reminds us to count the days of our lives. Rightly understood, we should make them count. When we stop and think about how fleeting our days on this earth really are, it should cause us to wise up and not take how many ever remaining we have for granted.  Maybe I have 10,000 days (27+ years) left? Perhaps today is my last day? Only God knows, and I shouldn’t waste any of them.

The last 40 years of Moses’ life definitely were not the “golden years” many dream about. They teach us probably the greatest lesson of all. Even the best of our remaining days are full of “trouble and sorrow” (v. 11). Throughout this psalm, Moses used two names for God. “God,” the Creator and all-powerful eternal One, and “Lord,” the unfailing covenantal promise-keeper. Moses teaches us that in a world full of trouble, loss, wandering, grief, pain, and despair, only God can satisfy (v. 14). He alone is able and promises to give mercy, compassion, love, joy, gladness, and favor (vv. 13-17).

One day we will all be “returned to dust” (v. 3). One day we will be “swept away in the sleep of death” (5).

May we wake up today and realize our need for something beyond this troubled and fleeting world…an everlasting God (v. 2).