Shane & Shane - Teach Me To Number My Days (Psalm 90) Lyrics
Lyrics
God of everlasting
God of Kingdom Come
God who brings us life
Turns us back to dust
Every moment fleeting
All the world will wilt and fade away
How long have mercy
How long will it be
Until this world is made new
Until my soul is with You
Teach me to number my days
Teach me to number my days
Until my faith is made sight
And every wrong is made right
Teach me to number my days
Teach me to number my days
God of everlasting
Generations past
God of perfect patience
God of holy wrath
The years are but a vapor
Full of toil then we fly away
How long have mercy
How long will it be
Until this world is made new
Until my soul is with You
Teach me to number my days
Teach me to number my days
Until my faith is made sight
And every wrong is made right
Teach me to number my days
Teach me to number my days
Satisfy us in the morning
With Your steadfast love
Let Your favor be upon us
Till the work is done
Until this world is made new
Until my soul is with You
Teach me to number my days
Teach me to number my days
Until my faith is made sight
And every wrong is made right
Teach me to number my days
Teach me to number my days
Satisfy us in the morning
With Your steadfast love
Let Your favor be upon us
Till the work is done
Until this world is made new
Until my soul is with You
Teach me to number my days
Teach me to number my days
Until my faith is made sight
And every wrong is made right
Teach me to number my days
Teach me to number my days
Video
Psalm 90 (Satisfy Us With Your Love) | Shane & Shane
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on July 2, 2021, Shane & Shane offered their profound musical interpretation of Psalm 90, titled "Teach Me To Number My Days (Psalm 90)," also known as "Psalm 90 (Satisfy Us With Your Love)." This particular Psalm is unique as it's attributed to Moses, making it one of the oldest prayers recorded in Scripture, a powerful cry spanning the vast gulf between humanity's fleeting existence and God's eternal dwelling. The song dives deep into this contrast, capturing the weighty themes of human mortality, the consequences of sin in God's sight, and the desperate, yet hopeful, plea for divine wisdom, satisfaction, and favor. It's a journey through the humbling reality of our brief time on earth and the glorious permanence of God's love and kingdom.
The musical setting Shane & Shane provide is fittingly contemplative and rich, supporting the gravitas of Moses’ ancient prayer without overshadowing it. The arrangement builds and recedes, allowing the solemn truths of the Psalm to settle before opening up to the fervent requests for mercy and blessing. It’s music designed to draw one into reflection and worship, providing a soundscape that enhances the scriptural text rather than merely accompanying it. Their characteristic harmonies and thoughtful instrumentation serve to underscore the dual nature of the Psalm – acknowledging the seriousness of our fallen state and the brevity of life, while simultaneously yearning for the joy and security found only in God. The vocal delivery carries the weight of generations of human experience, feeling both deeply personal and universally resonant.
At the heart of the song lies the striking contrast between God's eternal nature and humanity's transient state. The Psalm opens by declaring God as our "dwelling place throughout all generations" (Psalm 90:1), a stark counterpoint to the verses that follow describing humans returning to dust, like grass that "sprouts anew... flourishes in the morning... and in the evening it withers and dries up" (Psalm 90:5-6). This vivid imagery echoes other Scriptures like James 4:14, which describes life as "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes," or 1 Peter 1:24-25, reminding us that "all people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever." The song thoughtfully navigates the Psalm's acknowledgement of God's righteous anger towards sin and how our "secret sins" are "in the light of your presence" (Psalm 90:8). This sobering reality highlights the fallen condition of humanity and the need for God's grace, aligning with Romans 3:23 which states that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
The pivotal request, from which the song draws its title, is "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). This is not a morbid preoccupation with death, but a profound plea for perspective. To "number our days" is to recognize life's shortness in light of eternity, prompting us to live wisely, prioritizing what truly matters in God's eyes. Such wisdom, as Proverbs 9:10 reminds us, begins with "the fear of the Lord." It's a call to live purposefully, redeemed by God's grace, in contrast to the futile rush of life often described in the Psalm. This understanding compels us, as Ephesians 5:15-16 urges, to "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity." The song moves from this introspection to a passionate longing for God's favor. The prayer intensifies, crying out, "Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days" (Psalm 90:14). This isn't a request for earthly comfort, but for the deep, abiding joy and contentment found only in God's presence and His steadfast love, a truth echoed in Psalm 16:11, "In your presence there is fullness of joy." Finally, the song embraces the Psalm’s closing petition for God's blessing upon our work: "May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands" (Psalm 90:16-17). This acknowledges that human labor, no matter how diligent, is ultimately vain unless it is established and blessed by God, resonating with Colossians 3:23-24 which calls believers to "work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord."
Shane & Shane's rendition of Psalm 90 is more than just a musical performance; it's an invitation to step into Moses' ancient prayer and make it our own. It calls us to confront the reality of our mortality and the seriousness of sin, not to despair, but to turn with hopeful urgency to the eternal God. It guides us to seek wisdom for living each day purposefully and to rest our hope for true satisfaction and lasting significance not in our own efforts, but in the unfailing love and establishing power of the Lord. This song stands as a powerful tool for personal reflection and corporate worship, reminding us that while our days are numbered, the God in whom we find our refuge and satisfaction is from "everlasting to everlasting."