Sermons on Psalm 90:10

Psalm 90:10 Interpretation:

Maximizing Time: Strategies for Spiritual Growth (Eagle Brook Church) interprets Psalm 90:10 as a sober reminder of the brevity and fragility of human life, using the analogy of a football game divided into quarters to represent the decades of life, and humorously referencing "overtime" for those living beyond 80. The sermon uniquely employs the metaphor of a jar of marbles, each marble representing a week of a child's life, to visualize the finite nature of time and the gradual shift from parental control to influence. The preacher also uses the image of a balloon to represent the limits of our schedules, illustrating how overcommitting can cause us to "pop," and how margin (rest) is like letting air out of the balloon. The sermon further draws on popular time-related idioms and song lyrics to reinforce the point that time is non-renewable and irretrievable, emphasizing that "when you kill time, remember, it has no resurrection." This creative blend of metaphors and analogies sets this interpretation apart, making the passage's warning about fleeting years both vivid and practical.

Navigating Grief and Unity in Leadership (Alistair Begg) references Psalm 90:10 directly in the context of Barzillai's reflection on his age, noting that the psalmist says, "the years of our life are 70, or even by reason of strength 80." The sermon interprets this as a realistic, not morbid, acknowledgment of human mortality and the natural limits of earthly life. Barzillai's acceptance of his waning powers and his desire to "go home" rather than seek further reward is presented as a wise and humble response to the reality described in Psalm 90:10. The preacher draws a distinction between utilitarian modern attitudes toward death and the biblical, personal longing for home and legacy, using Barzillai's story as a living illustration of the psalm's message. This interpretation is notable for its narrative application—connecting the psalm's statistics to a specific biblical character's lived experience and emotional response.

Living Purposefully in the Brevity of Life (SermonIndex.net) offers a notably detailed and vivid interpretation of Psalm 90:10, emphasizing the verse’s stark realism about the human lifespan—“the days of our years are three score years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” The preacher uses the analogy of a once-vigorous farm dog, “Jackie,” who in his youth would leap and run with astonishing strength, but in old age could barely walk, to illustrate the sudden and irreversible onset of frailty that Psalm 90:10 describes. This analogy is used to make the point that no matter how strong or vital one is, the decline of age comes swiftly and inevitably, echoing the “labor and sorrow” that the Psalmist notes. The sermon also draws attention to the original Hebrew nuance of “we fly away,” connecting it to the fleeting, almost ephemeral nature of life, and the abruptness with which it ends. This is further reinforced by the preacher’s use of the phrase “in one moment,” repeatedly, to stress the suddenness of life’s end, regardless of prior strength or vitality. The sermon’s interpretation is unique in its use of the dog analogy and its focus on the emotional and existential shock of aging and mortality, as well as its explicit attention to the original language’s sense of transience.

Psalm 90:10 Theological Themes:

Maximizing Time: Strategies for Spiritual Growth (Eagle Brook Church) introduces the theme that time is a non-renewable, non-transferable resource, and that the brevity and difficulty of life (as described in Psalm 90:10) should motivate intentionality in spiritual growth and relationships. The sermon adds a fresh angle by emphasizing the transition from parental control to influence as children grow, urging parents to make the most of their limited time to shape their children's lives. It also explores the idea that making the best use of time is not just for personal benefit but can have eternal consequences for others, as illustrated by the story of Dom's conversion during a time-intensive trip. The sermon further develops the theme of margin—not just as rest, but as a spiritual discipline that enables meaningful engagement with God and others.

Navigating Grief and Unity in Leadership (Alistair Begg) presents the theological theme that recognizing the limits of our lifespan (as in Psalm 90:10) should lead to humility, gratitude, and a focus on legacy rather than self-indulgence. The sermon uniquely applies this to the desire for one's children to "go on with the king" (i.e., to continue in faith) after one's own death, framing the acceptance of mortality as an opportunity to invest in the next generation's spiritual journey. This adds a generational, forward-looking dimension to the psalm's message.

Living Purposefully in the Brevity of Life (SermonIndex.net) introduces a distinct theological theme by connecting the brevity and frailty described in Psalm 90:10 to the urgency of living purposefully and redemptively. The preacher insists that the knowledge of life’s shortness should drive believers to “redeem the time” (Ephesians 5:6) and to make radical, immediate choices about their values, priorities, and relationships. The sermon uniquely applies Psalm 90:10 to the context of marriage, parenting, and personal holiness, warning that lost opportunities—whether to love, forgive, or seek reconciliation—may never return, and that the “labor and sorrow” of old age can be compounded by regret over wasted years. The preacher also explores the theme of spiritual vigilance in old age, warning that even the most faithful can become spiritually lax or be “shot down by Satan at the finishing line,” thus urging listeners to finish life “climbing,” or striving for godliness, rather than coasting or giving up. This application of Psalm 90:10 to the dangers of spiritual complacency in later years is a fresh angle not commonly emphasized.

Psalm 90:10 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Navigating Grief and Unity in Leadership (Alistair Begg) provides historical context by situating Barzillai's age and expectations within the ancient Near Eastern understanding of life expectancy, noting that the biblical average of 70-80 years closely matches actuarial calculations even today. The sermon also contrasts ancient and modern attitudes toward death and burial, highlighting the cultural importance of being buried near one's ancestors and the personal significance of "going home" at life's end. This context enriches the understanding of why Barzillai's response to David is both culturally and emotionally resonant in the biblical narrative.

Psalm 90:10 Cross-References in the Bible:

Maximizing Time: Strategies for Spiritual Growth (Eagle Brook Church) cross-references Ephesians 5:15-16 ("making the best use of the time, because the days are evil") to reinforce the call for intentional living in light of life's brevity, as highlighted in Psalm 90:10. The sermon also references Exodus 20 and the Sabbath commandment, connecting the need for margin and rest to God's design for human flourishing. Additionally, Acts 2:42-47 is cited to illustrate the early church's devotion to spiritual disciplines, suggesting that prioritizing these practices is a wise use of the limited time described in the psalm.

Navigating Grief and Unity in Leadership (Alistair Begg) references Psalm 90:10 directly in relation to Barzillai's age, and alludes to the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over the number of our days ("all the days of our lives were written in his book before one of them came to be"), echoing Psalm 139:16. The sermon also briefly mentions the story of Chimham and its later mention in Jeremiah, connecting individual legacy to the ongoing work of God across generations.

Living Purposefully in the Brevity of Life (SermonIndex.net) extensively cross-references other biblical passages to expand on Psalm 90:10’s message. The sermon cites Job 14:1 (“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble”) and Job 7:6 (“My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle”) to reinforce the theme of life’s brevity and trouble. It references Ecclesiastes 9:10 (“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work…in the grave”) to urge listeners to act decisively while alive. The preacher also draws on Psalm 39:4 (“Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am”) and Ecclesiastes 12:5 (“man goeth to his long home”) to highlight the inevitability of death and the need for wisdom. The sermon further connects Psalm 90:10 to New Testament passages such as 1 Corinthians 15:26 (“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death”) and Hebrews 9:27 (“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”), using these to stress the certainty of death and the urgency of spiritual preparation. The preacher also references Ephesians 5:6 (“redeem the time”), Ecclesiastes 3 (“a time to be born, and a time to die”), and Psalm 103:14 (“he remembereth that we are dust”) to reinforce the message of human frailty and the need for purposeful living.

Psalm 90:10 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Maximizing Time: Strategies for Spiritual Growth (Eagle Brook Church) uses a variety of secular illustrations to make Psalm 90:10 tangible. The preacher references the Kansas City Chiefs' tendency to "not start playing until the fourth quarter," humorously paralleling the later years of life with the crucial final moments of a football game. The sermon also draws on popular idioms and song lyrics about time, such as "If I could save time in a bottle" and "If I could turn back time," to highlight the universal longing to control or reclaim lost time. The analogy of a jar of marbles, given to parents at child dedications, is a vivid secular practice that quantifies the weeks of a child's life, making the passage's message about fleeting years concrete. The balloon illustration, representing the limits of our schedules, and the story of a jet ski trip in Alaska, where exhaustion and the need for perseverance mirror the challenges and opportunities of life's limited span, further ground the psalm's message in everyday experience. The sermon also references the song "Don't Blink" by Kenny Chesney to underscore how quickly time passes, especially in parenting. These illustrations collectively make the abstract warning of Psalm 90:10 immediate and relatable for a modern audience.

Living Purposefully in the Brevity of Life (SermonIndex.net) uses a vivid secular illustration involving a farm dog named Jackie to bring Psalm 90:10 to life. The preacher recounts how Jackie, once a symbol of youthful vigor and strength, would leap and run with astonishing agility, but as he aged, he lost his ability to jump, then to walk, and finally could only shuffle along. This story is used as a metaphor for the human experience described in Psalm 90:10: no matter how strong or vital one is in youth, the frailty of old age comes suddenly and inevitably, reducing even the strongest to weakness and dependence. The analogy is detailed and emotionally resonant, making the Psalm’s message about the fleeting nature of strength and the certainty of decline both accessible and poignant for listeners. The preacher’s use of this story is a powerful secular parallel to the biblical text, illustrating the Psalm’s realism about the human condition.