Understanding the Heart of Wisdom in Psalm 90:12
Psalm 90:12 states, "So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (ESV) [1]. This verse is a petition within a psalm attributed to Moses, reflecting on the brevity of human life in contrast to God's eternal nature [1]. The psalm opens by declaring God as an eternal dwelling place (Psalm 90:1-2) and then laments the fleeting existence of humanity, which is likened to grass that flourishes in the morning but withers by evening (Psalm 90:3-6). The psalmist acknowledges that human life is often filled with trouble and sorrow, lasting seventy or eighty years at most (Psalm 90:9-10). This stark reality sets the stage for the prayer in verse 12.
The phrase "number our days" does not imply a mere arithmetical calculation of one's lifespan. John Gill clarifies that divine teaching is not needed for simple counting; rather, it refers to a deeper understanding of life's brevity [4]. The request is for God to instruct humanity in recognizing the finite nature of their existence, leading to a proper perspective on life [4]. This understanding is cross-referenced with other biblical passages that emphasize the transient nature of human life, such as Psalm 39:4, where the psalmist asks God to "make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!" [2].
The ultimate goal of numbering one's days is to "gain a heart of wisdom." In biblical thought, the "heart" is not merely the seat of emotion but the center of intellect, will, and moral character [7]. Therefore, a "heart of wisdom" signifies a profound spiritual and practical understanding that influences one's entire being and actions. This wisdom is not human-derived but divinely imparted [6]. The Tyndale House commentary notes that in the search for wisdom, no one can fully comprehend the Lord, and the appropriate human response is godly fear [6]. The Lord alone can guide humans to the path of wisdom (Psalm 25:4-6) [6].
The concept of wisdom in this context is often linked to the fear of the Lord. Augustine, in his exposition on Psalm 111, states that "The fear of the Lord... is the beginning of wisdom" [9]. He further explains that understanding without action is dangerous, emphasizing that true wisdom involves both comprehension and obedience [9]. John Calvin also connects the fear of the Lord with wisdom, noting that it is "uniformly attributed to all the saints" and is sometimes called "the beginning of wisdom" or even wisdom itself [8].
The Babylonian Talmud interprets Psalm 90:12 to highlight the superiority of wisdom. Rabbi Ameimar uses this verse to argue that a Sage (wise person) is greater than a prophet, stating, "And a prophet has a heart of wisdom," implying that wisdom is the greater quality to which prophecy is compared [3]. This rabbinic interpretation underscores the high value placed on wisdom within Jewish tradition.
Augustine also connects the prayer in Psalm 90:12 to the broader Christian understanding of seeking eternal things rather than temporal rewards. He suggests that Christ, through his sufferings, revealed that "not these rewards which seem so highly prized in the Old Testament... but things eternal, are to be desired" [5]. This perspective aligns with the idea that recognizing the brevity of earthly life should lead believers to focus on eternal realities and divine wisdom.
The prayer in Psalm 90:12, therefore, is a plea for divine instruction that enables individuals to live thoughtfully and purposefully, acknowledging the transient nature of life and seeking a wisdom that aligns with God's eternal perspective [5, 6]. This wisdom is not merely intellectual but transformative, shaping the heart and guiding one's actions in light of eternity.
Sources
- Psalms “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. -- Psalms 90:12”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.39.4 → Ps.90.12 (confidence: 20 votes)”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 12a.14: Ameimar said: And a Sage is greater than a prophet, as it is stated: “And a prophet has a heart of wisdom” (Psalms 90:12), i.e., he is wise. When comparisons are drawn, who is compared to whom? You must say that the lesser is compared to the greater. Here too, prophecy is compared to wisdom, thus indicating that wisdom is greater than prophecy.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 90:12: So teach us to number our days,.... Not merely to count them, how many they are, in an arithmetical way; there is no need of divine teachings for that; some few instructions from an arithmetician, and a moderate skill in arithmetic, will enable persons not only to count the years of their lives, but even how many days they have lived: nor is this to be understood of calculating or reckoning of time to come; no man can count the number of days he has to live; the number of his days, months, and years, is with the Lord; but is hid from him: the living know they shall d”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM XC.(1) (part 8): in men who honour Thee not: that their steps may not give way, while they know not how to number Thine anger. Finally, in accordance with this prayer of the Man that is His,(4) He has made His Christ so well known as to show by His sufferings that not these rewards which seem so highly prized in the Old Testament, where they are shadows of things to come, but things eternal, are to be desired. The right hand of God may also be understood in this sense, as that by which He will separate His saints from the wicked: because th”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 90:11: 90:11-12 In the search for wisdom, no one can comprehend the Lord (see Isa 40:13). The appropriate human response to the Lord is godly fear (see Ps 60:4). The Lord alone can teach humans to follow the path of wisdom (25:4-6).”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM XLIX.[1] (part 3): separated. That is for the time of the harvest to do, the hand of the winnower will effect that[6] Now together let rich and poor hear, let-goats and sheep feed in the same pasture, until He come who shah separate the one on His right hand, the other on His left.[7] Let them all hear together the teacher, lest separated from one another they hear the voice of the Judge. 4. And what is it they are now to hear? "My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and the meditation of my hear understanding" (ver. 3). And this repetition is per”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: to save us we shall be delivered; and here we begin again to breathe. But, ascending to a loftier height, let us seek the city of God, let us seek the temple, let us seek our home, let us seek our spouse. I have not forgotten myself when, with fear and reverence, I say, We are,—are in the heart of God. We are, by his dignifying, not by our own dignity.” 26. Moreover, the fear of the Lord, which is uniformly attributed to all the saints, and which, in one passage, is called “the beginning of wisdom,” in another wisdom itself, althou”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM CXI. (1) (part 5): avoid hell; before thou longest for a God who promiseth, beware of one who threateneth. For "holy and reverend is His Name." 7. ... "The fear of the Lord," therefore, "is the beginning of wisdom." "Understanding is good" (ver. 10). Who gainsayeth? But to understand, and not to do, is dangerous. It is "good," therefore, "to those that do there after." Nor let it lift up the mind unto pride; for, "the praise of Him," the fear of whom is the beginning of wisdom, "endureth for ever:" and this will be the reward, this the end,”