Psalm 90 is a psalm written by Moses, probably composed toward the end of his life after spending 40 years wandering through the desert. It’s a beautiful song and while it praises God, it also offers a prayer for our lives. I now pray it every morning. Let’s dig in…
Psalm 90
A prayer of Moses, the man of God.
1 Lord, through all the generations
you have been our home!
2 Before the mountains were born,
before you gave birth to the earth and the world,
from beginning to end, you are God.3 You turn people back to dust, saying,
“Return to dust, you mortals!”
4 For you, a thousand years are as a passing day,
as brief as a few night hours.
5 You sweep people away like dreams that disappear.
They are like grass that springs up in the morning.
6 In the morning it blooms and flourishes,
but by evening it is dry and withered.
7 We wither beneath your anger;
we are overwhelmed by your fury.
8 You spread out our sins before you—
our secret sins—and you see them all.
9 We live our lives beneath your wrath,
ending our years with a groan.10 Seventy years are given to us!
Some even live to eighty.
But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble;
soon they disappear, and we fly away.
11 Who can comprehend the power of your anger?
Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve.
12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
so that we may grow in wisdom.13 O Lord, come back to us!
Psalm 90 NLT
How long will you delay?
Take pity on your servants!
14 Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,
so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
15 Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery!
Replace the evil years with good.
16 Let us, your servants, see you work again;
let our children see your glory.
17 And may the Lord our God show us his approval
and make our efforts successful.
Yes, make our efforts successful!
How the Book of Psalms is Arranged…
The book of Psalms is actually five books. And there’s an interesting theory behind their division… Hebrew rabbis related the books of the Psalms to the Pentateuch – the first 5 books of the Bible. A casual glance reveals that the lengths of these sections of Psalms are similar in proportion to the length of the five books of Moses.
Psalms 1-41 correspond with Genesis. And they’re called, “the creation psalms.” Many of these psalms refer to God’s glory in nature, and mankind in general. The major author within this section of Psalms is King David.
Psalms 42-72 shadow Exodus. They’re called, “the deliverance psalms.” The major authors are David, and the sons of Korah.
Psalms 73-89 link to Leviticus. The dominant author here is Asaph – a Levite and a worship leader. These are called “the sanctuary psalms.”
Psalms 90-106 track with Numbers. They’re “the journey psalms.” And Numbers recounts the 40 years the Hebrews wandered in the wilderness. It’s no accident this section of Psalms begins with a song of Moses.
The fifth and final book, Psalms 107-150 fit with Deuteronomy. They’re known as “the prophetic psalms.” They’re attributed to David and to a fellow named “Anonymous.”
Pastor Sandy Adams
Breaking Down Psalm 90
Let’s go piece by piece…
1 Lord, through all the generations
you have been our home!
2 Before the mountains were born,
before you gave birth to the earth and the world,
from beginning to end, you are God.
The word “home” here can also be translated as “den”. God has been our comforter throughout the ages — and still is!
John reiterates this in the opening of his Gospel…
In the beginning the Word already existed.
John 1: 1-4 NLT
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
Jesus also told this to John who wrote it in the Book of Revelation…
“I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”
Jesus — Revelation 1:8 NLT
3 You turn people back to dust, saying,
“Return to dust, you mortals!”
4 For you, a thousand years are as a passing day,
as brief as a few night hours.
5 You sweep people away like dreams that disappear.
They are like grass that springs up in the morning.
6 In the morning it blooms and flourishes,
but by evening it is dry and withered.
7 We wither beneath your anger;
we are overwhelmed by your fury.
8 You spread out our sins before you—
our secret sins—and you see them all.
9 We live our lives beneath your wrath,
ending our years with a groan.
Paul wrote…
Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.
1 Corinthians 15:22 NLT
Peter reminds us…
For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 24 As the Scriptures say,
“People are like grass;
their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
25 But the word of the Lord remains forever.”And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:23-26 NLT
10 Seventy years are given to us!
Some even live to eighty.
But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble;
soon they disappear, and we fly away.
I’m turning 69 this year, so this verse really hits home. Yes, even my best years have been filled with pain and trouble. Fortunately, very soon, I’ll fly away — either in the Rapture of the born-again Christians or when He calls me home — whichever comes first — I’m ready!
11 Who can comprehend the power of your anger?
Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve.
Read: What does it mean to Fear God?
12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
so that we may grow in wisdom.
Years ago, when I worked at a hotel in Puerto Rico, I was arguing with a coworker over something stupid. I realized that he wasn’t going to change my mind with his argument and I wasn’t going to change his. Arguing was a futile effort. Since then, when I’m confronted with an argument, I walk away. Life’s too short to waste time arguing over stupid things and those which we don’t have any control over. That was me growing in wisdom. Study: The Book of Ecclesiastes.
13 O Lord, come back to us!
How long will you delay?
Take pity on your servants!
14 Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,
so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
15 Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery!
Replace the evil years with good.
16 Let us, your servants, see you work again;
let our children see your glory.
17 And may the Lord our God show us his approval
and make our efforts successful.
Yes, make our efforts successful!
This last part especially, is great to pray every morning. We want Jesus to come back for us! Yet, we know that we can be patient because He gave us His Holy Spirit to live in us until He does come back. We seriously need to stop each day and ponder on God’s work in our lives and around the world.
Paul reminds us in Philippians…
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8 NLT
And in 2 Corinthians…
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
2 Corinthians 9:10 NLT
Study: Thanksgiving Every Day
Jesus wants to be your comforter… You just have to let Him in!
Isn’t it about time you let Him in?
