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More Psalms commentaries
Psalms 87:1-7
Jerusalem – City of God
Psalms 88:1-18
The Depths of Despair
Psalms 89:1-18
God’s Promises Are Secure
Psalms 89:19-37
God’s Enabling Power
Psalms 89:38-52
The Apparent Suspension of the Covenant
Psalms 90:1-17
Moses–Weary/Wise in the Wilderness Wanderings
Psalms 91:1-16
Relax and Let God Restore Your Faith
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Moses–Weary/Wise in the Wilderness Wanderings
Psalms 90:1–17
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
Daniel Boone explored the great wilderness of Tennessee and Kentucky. It was Boone who marked the wilderness road that brought settlers into the new land. He often wandered over vast areas of forest, living off the land and dodging arrows. Once he was asked if he had ever bee los … More
Some Bible scholars think Psalm 90 is one of the oldest pieces of writing in the Bible. It probably was written by Moses in the wilderness on the way from Egypt to Canaan. Perhaps Moses had already written Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and parts of Numbers, but these works were not yet in circulation. Thus Psalm 90 stands in distinction as the oldest psalm in history, one of the greatest psalms ever penned, and the first great masterpiece of the Hebrew hymn book. It is very likely that Moses wrote this psalm at the end of the wilderness wanderings, just before he died. As he pens these words he is going around in circles in the desert, and so they are literally in the wilderness.
This psalm can be divided into two sections:
1. Man’s Plight (vv. 1-10). Moses the author of this psalm is a man without a country. He was a fugitive from Egypt and he died without entering Canaan. A contrast is made between God’s infinity and man’s finiteness (vv. 1-6). Moses proceeds to contrast man’s sinfulness with God’s righteousness (vv. 7-10). Man’s life is short because we are sinners living under the righteous judgement of God. Man is limited, his life is short and marked with sorrow, suffering and labor. If Moses stopped here, this would be a dim picture indeed.
2. Man’s Petition (vv. 11-17). Here he makes two requests:
A. He petitions God to give men the grace to live wisely in view of limitations (vv. 11-12).
B. He petitions God to ultimately remove the limitations and frustrations (vv. 13-17)
Application
What do I do when problems come. The first thing I should do is remember that God is in control.
Psalms 90:1-17 (English Standard Version)
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man!" For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
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