In Psalms 90 What Does It Mean For God To Be Eternal And How Does That Impact Our Understanding Of Time?
Exploring God's Eternity in Psalm 90: Understanding Time in Light of God's Nature
Psalm 90 stands as one of the most profound meditations on the nature of God and human existence. Traditionally ascribed to Moses, this psalm contrasts God's eternal nature with the fleeting nature of humanity. Let's dive into what it means for God to be eternal and how that influences our perspective on time and life.
1. God’s Eternity: "From Everlasting to Everlasting"
Psalm 90 opens with a powerful declaration of God’s eternal existence:
Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations. 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 90:1-2 ASV
Here, the psalmist affirms that God exists "from everlasting to everlasting." This means God has no beginning and no end. He is not bound by the limits of time, as creation is. This is echoed elsewhere in Scripture, such as:
But thou, O Jehovah, abidest for ever; And thy memorial name unto all generations. - Psalm 102:12 ASV
In Revelation 1:8 ASV, God declares, "I am the Alpha and the Omega... who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
2. Human Life: Fleeting and Fragile
The eternity of God stands in stark contrast to the brevity of human life. Psalm 90:3-6 paints a vivid picture:
Thou turnest man to destruction, And sayest, Return, ye children of men. For a thousand years in thy sight Are but as yesterday when it is past, And as a watch in the night. - Psalm 90:3-4 ASV
To God, even a millennium is like a single day. For us, time marches quickly—"like grass which groweth up... in the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth" (Psalm 90:5-6 ASV).
3. Implications for Our Understanding of Time
a. God’s Timelessness and His Sovereignty
God’s eternality assures us that He is sovereign over all events, past, present, and future. He sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10 ASV). This gives believers confidence in God's plans and purposes, knowing He is never surprised or limited by time.
b. Our Limited Days and the Call to Wisdom
Recognizing our mortality should lead us to humility and dependence on God. The psalmist prays:
So teach us to number our days, That we may get us a heart of wisdom. - Psalm 90:12 ASV
Understanding the brevity of life encourages us to seek wisdom, to live purposefully, and to invest our time in what truly matters—especially in our relationship with the eternal God.
c. Hope Beyond This Life
For those who trust in Christ, God's eternity means our hope is secure beyond the limitations of earthly time. Jesus promised eternal life to all who believe in Him:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. - John 10:28 ASV
4. Responding to God’s Eternity
Recognizing God's eternal nature should lead us to:
- Worship: Praising God for His infinite greatness and constancy.
- Trust: Resting in His unchanging character and promises.
- Purposeful Living: Seeking wisdom to use our brief lives for His glory.
- Hope: Looking forward to eternity with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
Psalm 90 sets before us the majesty of God's eternal nature and the reality of our own mortality. As we meditate on God's timelessness, we are invited to live wisely, trust deeply, worship fully, and hope expectantly in the One who is "from everlasting to everlasting."