Shanna Duck Supporter "Let a search be made in the royal archives..." Ezra 5:17 NIV

This sounds like a case where one verse has been taken out of its original context and taught as a universal promise. Obviously not every Christian reaches the age of 70 or 80. Christ himself died in his 30s, and many devout Christians have died before 70. 

Unlike the World, we are not to fear death. Paul himself, although we don't know how old he was at the time, was caught between the desire to depart and be with Christ or remain to do work on Earth. While we as Christians value life highly, we also know that death is not "the end" for us and we don't mourn as do those who have no hope. 

But back to this verse. If you look at this Psalm, you will quickly notice that God is NOT decreeing the length of every person's life in v. 10 (as God did in Genesis 6:30, when man's life was given as 120 years). Similarly, God is NOT saying that every Christian's life is going to be one of unmitigated toil and trouble, even though at times we may feel that it is. 

This verse is only a description of what the inspired author of the poem sees as a general principal and feels in his heart: people might live to be 70 or even 80 but their lives were often hard and full of trouble. Clearly in this Psalm the author feels that God is disciplining his people (the Jews) because of their sinfulness. He is begging God to relent. There are times in our lives we may feel the same way. 

If we focus just on verse 10, we actually may be missing what this Psalm is trying to convey and what it can teach us today about our own mortality and the fact that God is a just judge as well as a merciful Father.

March 19 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Michael Bartlett Supporter

This verse refers to those disobedient Israelites in the wilderness. They were not to enter the promised land but were to die in the wilderness. 70-80 years has never been the life span of man but rather what is stated in Genesis 6. And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. (Genesis 6:3 KJV). 

There are many reasons people including Christians die younger than this. The Word says life and death are in the power of the tongue. Speaking sickness, disease and death is certainly a major contributor. Stress, worry and anxiety are contributors. A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones. (Proverbs 14:30 AMP). Unforgiveness and offence are also contributors. Diet is a contributor so seeking the Holy Spirit in regard to food is also important, not as a law, but because He knows what is right and good for the body and what is not good for each of our specific bodies.

February 28 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Thomas ORourke Supporter

Three score and ten is the same as "times, time and half a time." That is 40, 20 and 10. Just like the number 40 (40 years in the desert, Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights) it means "in the fullness of time". Hebrew is a concrete language, not an abstract language. Like American Indians saying, "It was many moons ago," meaning quite a long time.

April 24 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report