Psalm 90 (89):9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The psalm begins, “O Lord, thou hast been our refuge from one generation to another” (Psalm 89:1), indicating that He has been a sanctuary for all generations, both old and new, as He is the Servant of the Old Covenant and the Prophet of the New. Jesus, the guarantor of that covenant and the Bridegroom of this generation, proclaimed, “If ye had believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me” (John 5:46). It is unlikely that Moses authored the entire psalm, as it does not reflect his distinctive style found in his other songs; rather, his name is invoked to draw the attention of the reader or listener. He asserts, “Thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation.”

Moses further indicates how God became our refuge, implying that He was not one prior but became so— eternally existing before the creation. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world: even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Psalm 89:2). Thus, the eternal God, who existed before us and before all creation, has been our refuge since we turned to Him. The mention of ‘before the mountains’ has a deeper meaning; mountains represent the highest lands, and if God existed before the earth was shaped, then mentioning the mountains underscores His transcendence. Though He surpasses all creation, including heaven and earth, the reference may highlight the angels’ stature as symbolized by the mountains, while mankind's humility is signified by the earth.

It is noted that all visible creation must have a purpose; the angels were created as part of this divine design, as evoked in the scriptures, “He spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” The earth, however, was created to give rise to man, as stated, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground” (Genesis 2:7). Before heaven and earth, God knew that humans would inhabit the earth, yet He is eternal and not confined by the passage of time. The distinction in the statement ‘a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past,’ signifies the fleeting nature of time compared to God’s eternity (Psalm 89:4). Despite the yearning for a long life, all temporal moments are seen as behind us.

Furthermore, the psalmist reflects on the brevity of human life, expressing that our years are insignificant, fading like grass in the morning, illustrating the transient nature of our existence: “In the morning it flourisheth and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth” (Psalm 89:5). This implies the mortal condition—all flesh is like grass; “the grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever” (Isaiah 40:6, 8). This affirmation acknowledges the finality of death as punishment for sin, illustrating how human frailty leads to fear of mortality (Psalm 89:7).

“We are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled” (Psalm 89:7) conveys that our weaknesses cause us to suffer. Yet, we are reminded that another will guide us even to places we would not choose (John 21:18), leading to martyrdom rather than punishment. The Lord’s own experience of death illustrates how our human frailty accommodates profound spiritual transformation.

Moses acknowledges, “Thou hast set our iniquities before thee” (Psalm 89:8), suggesting that God's gaze remains steadfast on our sins. The culmination of our days reflects our failure given God’s wrath upon us, as evidenced in the psalm (Psalm 89:9). Our existence dwindles—not because we lack earthly blessings but because even the strongest live with the inevitable sorrow of mortality.

In poetic terms, “Our years are as a tale that is told” (Psalm 89:9) captures this fleeting life. The notion of human existence as a spider’s web reflects the fragility of life: our years are few, characterized by toil and grief (Psalm 89:10). The psalm notes that even those who survive to old age experience suffering; thus, deeper meanings may be found in these numbers. Life's brevity, signifying our sinful state, is contrasted against the eternal hope offered through Christ, whose covenant assures us of resurrection life.

Seventy and eighty years serve as metaphors for humanity’s mortality; they are sacred numbers echoing the Old Testament Sabbath and the New Testament resurrection. As our years fade like a spider's web (Psalm 89:5) or are subject to God’s mercy in moments of humility and grace (Psalm 89:14), we are beckoned to strive for eternal fulfillment rather than temporal aspirations.

Moses's entreaty continues, “Look upon thy servants and upon their works” (Psalm 89:16), reminding us that our identity is rooted in our service to God. We are created in Christ for good deeds (Ephesians 2:10), aimed at reflecting His light and love, steering clear of earthly rewards that corrupt our intentions. The psalm points towards a greater unity of purpose in our actions aligned with divine love, declaring that all our efforts should direct toward a common goal: charity flowing from a pure heart (1 Timothy 1:5).

In sum, this psalm serves as a meditation on life, mortality, and divine mercy, inviting believers to reflect on God’s eternal promises amidst their temporal trials, highlighting the pathway of faith and the hope of resurrection through Christ.

Even as I convey these thoughts and you listen, this moment is fleeting, a fragment of our lives that is lost to the relentless flow of time. While we may perceive this discourse as spiritually enriching, the brevity of time renders it subject to the inevitable decay brought on by age. In our estimation of value, we often misjudge the true nature of our pursuits. "Our years are like a spider's web woven together." A more poignant description of human life and its myriad distractions could not be articulated. We scurry about, consumed by the need to secure wealth, acquire property, and create works, yet in comparison, our efforts are as transient as a spider's web. Just as the delicate strands of a spider's web cling to surfaces, only to be scattered by a sudden gale, so too do our earthly endeavors dissipate in the face of unforeseen grief or death. "The days of our years, in them are seventy years." Take note of how drastically the span of human life has diminished. Initially, we were granted eternity in paradise, a gift squandered through our disobedience, and while the ancients lived for up to a thousand years, our current state has been reduced to a mere seventy.

As it stands, our days are fleeting, and together with them, we face the conclusion of our lives, with God justly administering the consequences of our sins. The imagery, as derived from the translation of the seventy interpreters, resembles a spider, symbolizing that our years, or the fractions of our existence, are consumed in futile endeavors, anxieties, and the pursuit of earthly possessions. Just like the spider, we deplete our vitality in crafting webs of triviality, exhausting our very essence without achieving lasting fulfillment.