Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
Parallel translations
- WEB So teach us to count our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
- KJV So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
- BSB So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.
- NKJV So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
- NASB So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Moses prays that God would teach us to value our short days so we may grow wise.
Overview
Recognizing life's brevity (vv. 3-11), Moses asks for grace to "number our days" and so gain wisdom. True wisdom lives in light of mortality and God's eternity. This wisdom is ultimately found in Christ, in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom (Col. 2:3), teaching us to redeem the time (Eph. 5:15-16).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- Eph 5:16–17redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
- Ps 39:4“Yahweh, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am.
- John 9:4I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.
- Deut 32:29Oh that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
- Prov 4:7Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.
- Prov 3:13–18Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.
- Prov 23:12Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge.
- Eccl 9:10Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.
- Prov 16:16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
- Luke 12:35–40“Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning.
- Prov 4:5Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.
- Prov 2:2–6So as to turn your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;
- Prov 7:1–4My son, keep my words. Lay up my commandments within you.
- Prov 18:1–2An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
- Prov 22:17Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
- Job 28:28To man he said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding.’”
- Prov 23:23Buy the truth, and don’t sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.
- Prov 8:32–36“Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 90:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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