Interpretation of the Bible / Psalm 90:12

The Book of Psalms is one of the most poetic and emotional books of the Bible, written by various authors and addressed to God in the form of prayer or praise. Psalm 90, in particular, is attributed to Moses, the leader of the Israelites during the Exodus from Egypt, who received the tablets of the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai. In verse 12, we find a plea to God for wisdom in managing our time.

Wisely using our days in life

The verse begins with the plea: "Teach us to number our days…" and thus points to the importance of recognizing the limitations of our time on earth. According to the psalm, a human lifespan lasts approximately seventy or eighty years (verse 10), which gives us the idea that we should manage our time wisely, focusing on things that are truly important and have a long-term impact.

Psalm 90:12 calls us to reflect on the importance of making the most of the life God has given us. It is a call to live wisely and mindfully, using our days to fulfill God's purpose. It is not a call to live anxiously, trying to get everything done, but rather to live mindfully and make the most of each day.

This task requires wisdom, God's wisdom, which enables us to live a full and meaningful life. Psalm 90:12 becomes a call to humility in the face of our fleeting existence on earth. This call urges us to take seriously how we manage our time in service of a higher purpose.