What does Psalm 90:7 mean?
At Kadesh Barnea the people of Israel refused God's command, and the advice of Joshua and Caleb, to enter Canaan, the land God had promised to them. As a result of their disobedience, they were sentenced to wander for forty years in the wilderness until the older generation died (Numbers 14:33–35). The sentence was imposed because God was angry with their decision. Exodus 34:6 describes God as merciful and slow to anger. However, Israel's frequent disobedience and unbelief provoked Him.Numbers 11 reports the typical rebellious attitude the people showed toward the Lord. They "complained in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortunes" (Numbers 11:1) and wept and said, "Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at" (Numbers 11:4–6). Rather than thanking God for freeing them from oppressive slavery in Egypt and keeping them from starvation as they journeyed toward the Promised Land, they complained that the food was not good enough.
Psalm 90:3–10 reflects on life's brevity and God's wrath. Psalm 8:4 raises the question of man's status, and James 4:14 describes life as finite and fleeting. Numbers 14:33–35 spells out God's judgment on the Israelites for refusing His call to enter Canaan.
Psalm 90, likely the oldest psalm, opens with Moses addressing God as eternal and Israel's dwelling place, but quickly shifts to an acknowledgement of man's brief life on earth. Our iniquity is the reason God directs His wrath at us. In most cases, a person can expect to live somewhere around 70 or 80 years, barring disease or misfortune. Short or long, life is full of toil and trouble. In view of life's brevity, Moses asks the Lord to fill His people with wisdom. He also asks the Lord to reveal His work, demonstrate His power, grant His favor, and make Israel's labor successful.