|
|
Psalm 90 - A Prayer of Moses
INTRODUCTION: This first Psalm of book IV, is attributed to Moses, which may
qualify it as the oldest writing within the Psalms. The
paraphrase below should be compared with a reliable translation
of the bible for your own study. I developed the paraphrase as a
means of attempting a better understanding of the Psalm within my
frame of reference. After the paraphrase, I have listed a prayer
of response to my meditation on this Psalm.
Moses begins with a praise statement, embodying the thought,
which will also close the Psalm, after he gives glory to God. We
should be reminded that Moses also wrote Genesis under the
direction of the Holy Spirit, as we listen to the attributes of
omnipotence and eternality of our creator God, recounted in this
Psalm. Moses goes on to proclaim that no one can stand blameless
against God, throughout all generations of mankind. Several lines
of the Psalm make clear to us that our lifetime is almost
insignificant in time, as viewed by an eternal God. His light of
knowledge reveals all deeds, even those we thought were hidden,
and his power to punish the offender, is complete. Our knowledge
of this should command from us absolute respect, tempered by
fear, for our God. But out of such awesome and incomparable
strength comes a love, which provides joy, peace, and security to
those who will trust in his loving kindness. This secure dwelling
place in God (not our mortal body) is available in our present
life, and is a surety for our eternal existence with God. His
grace can establish the works of our hands, which would have no
worth, except for that established by our God. Hallelujah!
Psalms 90 in paraphrase
A prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, you are our dwelling
place and refuge in all generations, from generation to
generation. Before you brought forth the mountains and formed the
firm earth, from eternity to eternity, you are God. You return
man to dust, and say return, to the children of men. A thousand
years in your sight is gone like yesterday, passed away like a
watch in the night. You carry them away as with a flood; like
sleep in the morning, like grass growing in the morning which
flourishes and grows up; in the evening it is cut and withers.
Brought to an end at your face of furious anger, we are
terrified. You have set our hidden guilt in the illumination of
your countenance. For all our days are passed away in your wrath:
we finish our years as a sigh. The time of our years is seventy
years; if by strength eighty, they are with pride, trouble, and
sorrow; soon cut off, and we are quickly gone. Who knows the
power of your anger? We fear the overflow of your wrath.
Bring us to number our days, come into our hearts with your
wisdom. Return Jehovah. Comfort your servants. Satisfy us in the
morning with your loving kindness that we may rejoice with shouts
of joy all day. Make us rejoice in reward for the years we have
seen adversity. Make your work clear to your servants and your
majestic beauty to your children. Through your graciousness
Jehovah God firmly establish deeds by our hands, establish them.
--- Reflections in prayer ---
I offer my prayer to you, my God, with the desire to be a man
of God like Moses. I praise you that we have an eternal dwelling
place in you, through Christ, in all generations from age to age.
You existed before all things and will never cease to exist, and
you created everything, which is seen, from that which was not
seen. You formed man from the dust, and at your command, man
returns to dust. Because you are eternal, a thousand years passes
for you, as quickly as a day passes for me. Man's life before you
is carried away as by a flood, or as a dream soon forgotten upon
awakening, or like the grass of the field, which springs up fresh
in the morning, but is cut and withered by evening.
The thought of my frailty in the presence of your awesome
power is terrifying to me. There is absolutely nothing in my
lifetime, which is not revealed by the light of your piercing
knowledge, and all of my days are utterly consumed in the wrath
of your righteous judgment, concluding my whole lifetime as with
just a sigh. Whether I live more or less than the span of seventy
years, every event and thought of my life will come before you in
an instant. It is impossible for me to comprehend your righteous
anger, so I tremble at the thought of being defenseless before
you.
Lord, make me aware of each day, and fill my heart with your
wisdom. Return Lord Jesus to the fellowship you provide when I am
your servant. Satisfy me with the joy of my salvation through
your loving kindness each morning, so I will remember to heartily
praise you throughout the day. Make my praise to be my reward for
any adversity endured through the years. Reveal your works to all
your children; and through your grace; firmly establish those
works of mine that honor Christ. Amen.
Published 4 June 2004, first issued 3 October 1999
|
