Lifespan in Psalms & Proverbs

Posted on January 11, 2013

Lifespan concerns us all. If we haven’t asked, we’ve all wondered about the duration of our lives on earth. David’s question asked in Psalm 119:84 How many are the days of thy servant? is likely mused by most. Though this question is not answered, the bible does tell us the duration of our life on earth is flexible.

One common thought about lifespan is that we have an appointed time to die. This concept comes from the misunderstanding of Hebrews 9:27 which says And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Notice that this verse says it is appointed unto men once to die. It says nothing about an appointed time to die. Furthermore, this ‘appointed time’ concept could not be true, since the bible also tells us there are things that lengthen or shorten life on earth. If there is an appointed time for us to die, then we couldn’t do anything to lengthen or shorten it.

The following is a list of scriptures that address man’s lifespan in Psalms and Proverbs.

REFERENCE Verse
Psalm 55:23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.
Psalm 61:6 Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations.
Psalm 90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Psalm 102:24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
Proverbs 3:1-2 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
Proverbs 3:16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Proverbs 4:10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
Proverbs 9:11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
Proverbs 28:16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

What lengthens life on earth?

What shortens life on earth?

Concerning our lifespan, our prayer should echo Moses’s prayer in Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.






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Category Icon 13 Blessings and Attributes of Godly People

Posted on October 10, 2012

Being a godly person is a desirable attribute for the Christian. This is a list of 13 proverbs from the tenth chapter of Proverbs describing the blessings and attributes of godly people.

  • Proverbs 10:3 The LORD will not let the godly starve to death, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.KJV
  • Proverbs 10:6 The godly are showered with blessings; evil people cover up their harmful intentions.KJV
  • Proverbs 10:7 We all have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away.KJV
  • Proverbs 10:11 The words of the godly lead to life; evil people cover up their harmful intentions.KJV
  • Proverbs 10:16 The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin.KJV
  • Proverbs 10:20 The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.KJV
  • Proverbs 10:21 The godly give good advice, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.KJV
  • Proverbs 10:24 The fears of the wicked will all come true; so will the hopes of the godly.KJV
  • Proverbs 10:25 Disaster strikes like a cyclone, whirling the wicked away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.KJV
  • Proverbs 10:28 The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked are all in vain.KJV
  • Proverbs 10:30 The godly will never be disturbed, but the wicked will be removed from the land.KJV
  • Proverbs 10:31 The godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.KJV
  • Proverbs 10:32 The godly speak words that are helpful, but the wicked speak only what is corrupt.KJV

All verses are from the New Living Translation.

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Category Icon What Would You Say?

Posted on August 5, 2012

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 1Peter 3:9-11

1Peter 3:9 AMP Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God—that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection].

  1. INTRODUCTION
    • Our inherited blessing is tied to the proper use of our tongue
    • blessing ~ Greek eulogia ~ fine discourse, polished language
    • Luke 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
    • Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
    • James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
  2. WHEN SOMEONE IS GUILTY? (Woman caught in adultery)
    1. John 8:2-11
      1. Scribes and Pharisees SAID
      2. Moses in the law COMMANDED (SAID)
      3. Jesus SAID
        1. To scribes and Pharisees
        2. To woman
      4. Woman SAID
    2. …judge not according to the appearance… (John 7:24)
  3. WHEN SOMEONE ELSE IS INNOCENT? (Balaam and Israel)
    The majority of the story of Balaam is found in the book of Numbers chapters 22 through 24. Balaam, a prophet, was contacted by Balak, the Moabite king, to curse Israel. The following are four statements in this story which shed light on the subject of blessing.

    1. Angel SAID to Balaam …only say what I tell you to say – absolutely no other word… Numbers 22:35 MSG
    2. Balaam SAID to Balak How can I curse whom God has not cursed?… Numbers 23:8 MSG
    3. Balak SAID to Balaam …Well, if you can’t curse them, at least don’t bless them. Numbers 23:25 MSG
    4. God SAID about Israel through Balaam …Whoever blesses you is blessed, whoever curses you is cursed. Numbers 24:9 MSG
  4. WHEN A FRIEND IS ACCUSED? (Peter after Jesus arrested and tried)
    1. Matthew 26:69-75
  5. WHEN YOU HAVEN’T DONE WRONG? (Jesus)
    1. When you’re falsely accused
    2. When someone wrongs you directly
  6. CONCLUSION

    • Psalm 133:1-3 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

    • Kinds of unity
      • personal
      • family
      • organizational (church)
    • God commanded the blessing






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Category Icon Bible List: Apostle’s Beseeching

Posted on July 8, 2012

I really enjoy lists. Their discovery in the scripture illuminates truth and spawns study for me. The following list provides insight into Paul’s heart-felt love for the churches of God. I say this because his love for the churches is expressed in his desire for them.

REFERENCE Verse Text
1Thessalonians 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
1Thessalonians 1:1 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
1Thessalonians 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
2Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
1Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
1Corinthians 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
2Corinthians 2:8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
2Corinthians 10:2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
Galatians 4:12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.
Philippians 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
Philemon 1:10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
Hebrews 13:19 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
Hebrews 13:22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
1Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
2John 1:5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.






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