Moses- Weary in The Wilderness Wanderings
January 19, 2020
Commentary
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 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 (NET)
1 O Lord, you have been our protector through all generations.
2 Even before the mountains came into existence, or you brought the world into being, you were the eternal God.
3 You make mankind return to the dust, and say, “Return, O people.”
4 Yes, in your eyes a thousand years are like yesterday that quickly passes, or like one of the divisions of the nighttime.
5 You bring their lives to an end and they “fall asleep.” In the morning they are like the grass that sprouts up:
6 In the morning it glistens and sprouts up; at evening time it withers and dries up.
7 Yes, we are consumed by your anger; we are terrified by your wrath.
8 You are aware of our sins; you even know about our hidden sins.
9 Yes, throughout all our days we experience your raging fury; the years of our lives pass quickly, like a sigh.
10 The days of our lives add up to seventy years, or eighty, if one is especially strong. But even one’s best years are marred by trouble and oppression. Yes, they pass quickly and we fly away.
11 Who can really fathom the intensity of your anger? Your raging fury causes people to fear you.
12 So teach us to consider our mortality, so that we might live wisely.
13 Turn back toward us, O Lord. How long must this suffering last? Have pity on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your loyal love. Then we will shout for joy and be happy all our days.
15 Make us happy in proportion to the days you have afflicted us, in proportion to the years we have experienced trouble.
16 May your servants see your work. May their sons see your majesty.
17 May our Sovereign God extend his favor to us. Make our endeavors successful. Yes, make them successful.