The Strand Study Bible

PSALMS PSALMS ( Mic 5:2 , Jn 12:34, I Tim 1:17, Heb 7:15-16) and the HOLY SPIRIT ( Heb 9:14b ); and all three are to be equally worshipped ( Exo 20:4,5 ). 90:4 Moses contrasts the eternality of God with the brevity of men using five themes: 1. Time ( yesterday – vs 4 and II Pet 3:8b ) Since man can only measure his existence using the day ( time ), he cannot measure up to God who is the Ancient of Days (Dan 7:13,22). The title “Ancient of Days” expresses the eternality of God. Whereas man can only measure his existence using time , God is eternal; He’s timeless. John Bradshaw in Healing the Shame That Binds You notes: We humans are finite, “perfectly imperfect.” Limitation is our essential nature. 1 Simply put, man cannot match up with someone who doesn’t wear a watch; with someone who created time ( Gen 1:1b ), yet is not subject to it ( II Pet 3:8a ). This is why we are instructed “ to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom ” (vs 12) – we’re not eternal , God is. 2. Darkness ( a watch in the night – vs 4) Since half of man’s life is lived in darkness (Jn 11:9), he cannot measure up to God who always exists as light ( Gen 1:3b and I Jn 1:5 ). The term “light” expresses the intellectual part of the essence of God (His omniscience). Simply put, man, who thinks he’s a know-it-all, cannot match up with an all-knowing God; with someone who really does “know it all.” This is why we are instructed “ to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom ” (vs 12) – we’re not omniscient , God is. 3. Water ( Thou carriest them away as with a flood – vs 5) Since man is no match for water, he cannot measure up to God who created it and controls it. According to the Bible, “water” is a picture of salvation ( Gen 1:6a and Jn 4:10-14), the Word (Eph 5:26), and the Spirit of God who channels the Word of salvation through believers to unbelievers ( Jn 7:38 -39). Thus, “water” expresses the power of God (His omnipotence). Simply put, man cannot match up with an all-powerful God. This is why we are instructed “ to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom ” (vs 12) – we’re not omnipotent , God is. 4. Sleep ( they are as a sleep – vs 5) Since man has to sleep to live, he cannot measure up to God who never slumbers (Psa 121:3-4 and Lk 18:1 - 7 ). Because God is a spirit (Jn 4:23-24), He never rests and is able to be everywhere at once (omnipresent). Thus, “sleep” expresses the limitations of man and his boundaries (Acts 17:26). Simply put, man cannot match up with an ever-present God who never sleeps. This is why we are instructed “ to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom ” (vs 12) – we’re not omnipresent , God is. 5. Grass ( they are like grass – vs 5-6) Since man is like grass and can change both within and without and from one moment to the next, he cannot measure up to God who never changes. (Jms 1:17 and Heb 13:8). Unlike man, God never differs from Himself (eternal immutability). He may on occasion alter His dealings with men in a dispensational sense, but His Divine character remains constant. Thus, “grass” expresses the ever-changing character of man in contrast to the unchanging character of God. Simply put, man cannot match up with a changeless God. This is why we are instructed “ to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom ” (vs 12) – we’re not eternally immutable , God is. 90:7 Approximately 3 million people followed Moses out of Egypt in 1487 BC (Exo 14), yet less than one third of them made it into the Promised Land forty years later. Why? Because they provoked the Lord after all He had done for them ( Exo 14:21 and Num 14: 11- 23 , 29 ). Over 2 million people died during Israel’s thirty-eight year wilderness wanderings (from Num 14 – Josh 1). Which means: Every ten minutes someone died and had to be buried; six per hour; 144 per day; 1,012 per week; 4,385 per month; over 52,000 per year for thirty-eight years. Moses certainly knew what he was talking about when he said, “ we are consumed .” 90:12 Moses longed to “wear” ( apply ) his heart with wisdom. Question is: How does someone “wear” ( apply ) wisdom? In order to “wear” wisdom (also called “Wisdom Wear”) one must answer three questions concerning wisdom: (1) What is it ; (2) What does it look like ; and (3) What does it cost to put it on . 1. What is wisdom? Wisdom, according to Proverbs 2:6, is seeing life from God’s point of view; it’s learning to “wear” the Scriptures (to give God the last say in your life). 2. What does wisdom look like? Wisdom, according to Proverbs 8:22-31, looks a lot like Jesus; it looks a lot like our Savior (I Cor 1:24,30). 3. What does it cost to put wisdom on? Wisdom, like truth ( Prov 23:23 ), is something we are to purchase. Thus, we are pressed of God to buy wisdom. Proverbs 4:7 says: Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding . But at what cost are we to get wisdom? According to Proverbs 2:4, we are to seek her more than we seek wealth; thus we are to sacrifice our time seeking the eternal more than the temporal. What does it cost to put wisdom on? It costs time; and that appears to be a sacrifice that few are willing to pay. Take CHRIST (who is wisdom) as an example of one who sacrificed time in order to give the world a good look at wisdom (Phil 2:5-8 and Prov 8:10-11 & 24:13-14). According to Proverbs 24:13-14, it takes time to dig for wisdom. Thus time is the sacrifice you must be willing to give if you’re going to put wisdom on. 90:16 God’s “ work ” was the taking of the Promised Land; something they should have gone and done thirty-eight years earlier (Num 14). Psalm 91 Psalm 91 was written for the “nights” in a person’s life. Psalm 91 theme: Dwelling in the Presence of God. 1 Bradshaw, John. Healing the Shame That Binds You , Deerfield Beach, FLA, Health Communications, Inc., 1988. Print. 898