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I. THE PSALMIST'S PETITION. It suggests —

1. A duty to be discharged: "number our days." The very term implies —

(1) That they have a limit, and that this is within the scope of our powers to calculate. The tale may soon be told.

(2) The uncertainty of life.

(3) The preciousness of time. As the miser counts and recounts his gold because it is his treasure, and fears lest a single piece should be lost, so should the child of eternity number those few and fleeting days which constitute his only season for preparing for eternity. Here alone is parsimony a virtue.

2. An inaptitude on the part of man for the fulfilment of the duty. He is called, indeed, to that for which his understanding is qualified, but to which his heart is not inclined.

3. This duty involves —

(1) A comparison of the number of our days with the duration of eternity.

(2) A comparison of the work which we have to do, with the space allotted for its accomplishment.

3. His need of assistance in the duty. God communicates this necessary instruction by His Word, and Providence, and Spirit — reminding by many a solemn text, by many an awakening dispensation, and by many an inward admonition, that "The time is short."

II. THE END TO WHICH THE PETITION WAS DIRECTED. What is "wisdom"? We need no better definition than that which describes it to consist in "pursuing the best end by the best means"; and seeing that happiness is "our being's end and aim," and that holiness is the only revealed means of securing it, the definition in question obviously identifies wisdom with godliness. "The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom." Seek, then, to apply your hearts to the "wisdom which cometh down from above."

(C. F. Childe, M.A.)

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KJV: So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

WEB: So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.