August 15 / Psalm 90

Psalm 90

One of my Study Bibles calls today’s Psalm 90 a lament. I see it more as a reflection. If the psalmist is Moses as the header suggests it seems like he is reflecting on his life, possibly near the end of his life as the Israelites are nearing the Promised Land. He sees his life as but a blink in time (vv. 3-6), no more than a blade of grass to the Lord. But he also sees his life from his own perspective (vv. 9-10, 12), viewing his life as “…toil and trouble…”. But I get the sense that he also wants to make something of his days, of his earthly life: So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. (v. 12) His tone changes dramatically in verse 14 as he seeks joy in the life that he is living: Make us glad for as many days as You have afflicted us… (v. 15a), and he recognizes the value of whatever work he is doing – establish the work of our hands (twice repeated in verse 17).

With it all he recognizes God’s sovereignty, both His wrath (vv. 7-8) and His glory (vv. 16-17). All in all, a good reflection for us also as we move into our own advanced years, hitting my own age perfectly: The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty… (v. 10a). Now, on to my “work”…

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2 Comments

  1. Several months ago I suggested checking out a blog with some meditations on the Psalms by my cousin, expecting about one post per week. Unfortunately, she has been battling her second round of (very) long COVID most of the year, so the blog has been pretty sparse. However, the other day her post ended up on Psalm 90 with some really good thoughts. I encourage you to take a look. (And if you have any inclination, go back and read all her previous posts, starting at the beginning. Due to her illness, there aren’t that many posts, so it won’t be too much to read, and I guarantee you will be blessed — or perhaps challenged!)

    1. Thanks, John. I particularly appreciated Carolyn’s insight into the “time” words: “It’s full of time words: generation, before, everlasting, yesterday, watch in the night, morning, evening, time, and, over and over, days and years.”

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