Psalm 89 closes the third book of the Psalms in profound darkness. Judah had fallen into the hands of the Babylonians, signalling that the mighty kingdom of David was no more. “No, that’s impossible!”—this would have been the thought of every Israelite who trusted in God. The kingdom of Judah was a covenantal sign of God’s faithful presence with His people, for He had promised David, “Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16) The psalmist echoes this covenant: “I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.” (Psalm 89:4) To witness Judah’s fall was like a modern believer seeing the church itself wiped off the face of the earth—it was a sight utterly impossible to happen.

Yet, the kingdom had fallen. Just like any earthly nation, Judah rose and fell. Book Three of the Psalter concludes with despair and hopelessness, as though God had forsaken His people forever. And then, Psalm 90 begins a new chapter with a renewed tone. The king may have fallen, the kingdom may have been exiled, but Yahweh God remains unchanged. He continues to reign—not only over Judah, but over all the earth and across all generations.

It is no coincidence that the fourth book of the Psalms begins with a psalm attributed to Moses. This sole psalm written by Moses reminds Israel that before David’s throne existed, God Himself was eternal. Before the temple in Jerusalem was built, God was already Israel’s dwelling place. The psalmist declares in verse 1: the LORD has been our dwelling place in all generations. Psalm 90 confronts us with two eternal truths: the permanence of God and the fragility of man. Our lives are fleeting: “You return man to dust and say, ‘Return, O children of man!’” (v.3) and “For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.” (v.9) Our existence before God is like grass, flourishing in the morning and fading by evening (v.6). Whatever human hope we cling to apart from God will ultimately crumble.

In contrast, God’s reign is unshakable: “From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.” (v.2) The psalmist reminds us that, in God’s eyes, even the longest human history is but a fleeting moment: “For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.” (v.4) We take pride in the 88 years of history in TRBC, the Americans are gladden by how they have led mankind progress within the last 200 years, and the Chinese takes pride in the five thousand years of history and culture. While we may take pride in centuries of culture, achievements, or history, before the Lord it is but a blink of an eye. Pretty sure, blink of an eye is already an overstatement. The psalmist calls us to refocus on who God is. Though David’s throne fell, God’s throne never has—and never will.

This message reaches into our lives today. We are easily distracted by problems, disheartened by the failures of man, and tempted to place our hope in things that cannot last. The psalmist calls us to anchor our fleeting days in God’s eternal purposes, finding wisdom, joy, and enduring meaning: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (v.12) “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” (v.14) “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us.” (v.17)

Ultimately, the promises to David find their fulfilments in Jesus Christ, the Son of David, whose kingdom will never end. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Even when earthly kingdoms crumble, His reign is eternal. By trusting in Him, our short lives gain lasting significance, and our labours, joys, and wisdom find true purpose in the eternal King.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to keep our eyes fixed on You, the eternal King, even when the kingdoms of this world rise and fall. Teach us to number our days with wisdom and to find our joy and purpose in Your steadfast love. May the work of our hands be guided and established by Your grace, and may our lives point to the everlasting reign of Jesus Christ. Amen.