This Psalm is traditionally believed to have been written by Moses and is considered the only Psalm attributed to him. While some scholars argue that Moses may not have written it himself, suggesting instead that someone recorded his prayer in the form of a Psalm, it is nonetheless recognised as The Prayer of Moses. This Psalm reminds us of the brevity of our time on earth and calls us to be vigilant in preserving the salvation that has been freely given to us.
Moses, having gained great wisdom through his walk with God and his leadership of the Israelites, spoke these words toward the end of his life after reciting a song to the people of Israel:
“They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”— Deuteronomy 32:47 (NIV)
Just as the Song of Moses conveyed life-giving truth, so too does the Prayer of Moses. When properly understood, it points us toward the path of eternal life.
Return to Dust
You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.” A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—they are like the new grass of the morning: In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered. – Psalm 90:3-5 (NIV)
Moses had the wisdom to recognise how brief our lives truly are. He compared human life to grass that withers quickly. He also sought to make people realise that, despite the shortness of life, many live as though they have unlimited time—some even forget that death is inevitable. When this awareness is absent, people often become arrogant, unruly, and seek to dominate others and their surroundings.
Moses wisely pointed out that it is only by comparing ourselves with God that we can truly understand our condition. In God’s eyes, we are but dust. Our lifespan, when viewed from God’s eternal perspective, may seem like mere days, if we consider that a thousand of our years are like one day to Him. This isn’t about literal mathematics, but about understanding God’s majesty and timelessness. Perhaps the writer of this reflection wasn’t considering the concept of life after death. But the scripture reminds us about it. We live as mortals on this earth, not destined to remain so, but to be transformed by the gift of immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53).
An Angry God
We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. – Psalm 90:7-9 (NIV)
Seeing God as an angry God has continued from ancient times to the present. For example, a student who neglects his studies may view the teacher as harsh and angry, while a diligent student sees the same teacher as kind and supportive. The teacher’s behaviour hasn’t changed—it’s the student’s perception that differs.
Similarly, mankind often misjudges God. Because of our sinful nature, we perceive Him as a strict and angry God. But in truth, God is love. Out of that love, He gave His Son—not just for a favoured few, but for everyone. If we are without sin, we would be able to perceive God’s boundless love more clearly. Unfortunately, sin distorts our understanding and causes us to see His love as anger.
Wisdom To Make Use Of Our Lives
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
While Moses had the wisdom to reflect on the brevity of life and to number his days, the world only began to formally study mortality rates in 1662 with the publication of John Graunt’s Bills of Mortality. These records laid the groundwork for modern epidemiology by analysing patterns in death data. Today, such data is used to enhance healthcare, improve living standards, and estimate population figures.
Yet, long before this scientific development, God had already given Moses the insight to live wisely and in a way that pleased Him. In contrast, many people today lose hope in striving for God’s standards, viewing Him as an angry and distant judge. Some even despair at the thought of death, burdened by the reality of mortality.
Yet, the brevity of life can be viewed as a blessing. It narrows our focus to a single, vital task—to remain faithful in guarding our salvation to the very end. In this short journey, God is at work within us, moulding us into people of righteousness through the righteousness of His Son. And when we are finally conformed to His image, in His perfect timing, He calls us home. Paul urges us to walk in wisdom: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).
Long Life
Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. O satisfy us early with thy mercy; hat we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. – Psalm 90:13-15 (KJV)
In our ignorance of our own sin, we often ask God to change His mind—according to the King James Version, we ask God to “repent”—not because He needs to change, but because we are unwilling to repent ourselves. But God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, has no need to change. The real change must happen in us.
Without true repentance, we desire to live forever in this fallen world, and we tend to ask God to prolong our lives in proportion to the suffering we’ve endured. But the question is not how long we have lived, but how we have lived. The quality and purpose of our life matter more than its duration.
When God declared that Hezekiah’s time had come, Hezekiah wept and pleaded for more time. God, in His mercy, granted him an additional fifteen years (2 Kings 20:6). But in hindsight, one might ask whether it would have been better if Hezekiah had accepted God’s original plan. During those extended years, he welcomed envoys and proudly displayed all his wealth—his silver, gold, spices, olive oil, armoury, and treasures—something that displeased God.
Furthermore, Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh, was born three years into those extra fifteen years. Manasseh began his reign at age twelve and ruled for fifty-five years, during which he committed great evil in the eyes of God (2 Kings 21). This raises a sobering thought: sometimes, what we desperately ask for may not lead to outcomes that God desires.
Instead of clinging to life in this broken world, we should strive for spiritual maturity like the Apostle Paul, who declared, “To die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). If we can say this sincerely, even in the face of sickness or suffering, the enemy loses his grip. He sees that whether we live or die, we belong to Christ, and thus, we are beyond his reach.
LORD, Keep Us In Loop
May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. – Psalm 90:16-17 (NIV)
Apart from the matter of His second coming, God reveals much to us and graciously invites us to be part of His plans. However, when we are not walking closely with Him, we miss out on this privilege. Yet, ironically, we still desire to know everything He is doing—often not out of a sincere desire to obey, but to gain recognition or claim a title like “The Prophet.”
We must ask ourselves: Why do we long to know God’s plans in advance? If we are truly walking with Him, such unnecessary desires would not occupy our hearts. Instead, we would rest in the assurance of His will for our lives and live in quiet trust.
As Scripture says, “Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). This is not an exclusive privilege for a chosen few—it is the shared inheritance of all His children. Let us not deceive ourselves by attaching grand titles to our names. Instead, let us live in humble obedience.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. – Psalm 90:17 (NIV)
Lord, help us to make the most of this earthly life You’ve given us, so we may reach the eternal life You have prepared. Amen.
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The Jordan Valley 
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