Psalm 90:10a

 

Psalm 90:10a  

70-80 years

In ancient times, the span of a king’s life was deemed to be 70 years although David was the only king to have exceeded this age. Thus, the captivity of Israel in Babylon spanned the same period, God effectively took one king out of the order of succession and a gaping hole was left in David’s line. 

The ability to live a further 10 years, until 80, was quite rare and regarded as a special gift from God. Few men had sufficient health and strength to live to such an age. Just for the record, the average life expectancy for both sexes in the Far East world today, where there is little obesity, is in the mid-eighties. As of 2023, the life expectancy in the UK is approximately 81 years, with women living around 83 years and men living about 79 years.

 As we have noted, Moses is credited with the writing of this Psalm; he had miraculously survived at birth and been raised in the household of Pharaoh. At the age of 40 he had to flee Egypt and he became a shepherd in the wilderness both literally and symbolically. It was at the age of 80 that Moses was authorised to begin his life’s work, to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt to the perimeter of the Promised Land. This epic journey added a further 40 years to his life. Our significance does not begin until God says so and our lives do not end until God says so. Hallelujah!