Psalm 90

A Prayer of Moses, the man of God

  1. Introduction/summary:
    God is faithful—we can trust all our days and years to him
    Lord, you have been our dwelling place
    through generation to generation.
  2. Before the mountains were born,
    or you had formed the earth
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
  3. The Problem:
    Can an infinite God really care about mankind?
    You turn man back to dust
    and say “Return, O children of man.”
  4. For a thousand years in your eyes
    is like yesterday that went by
    or like a watch period in the night.
  5. You sweep them away to death’s sleep
    They are like the new grass grown up in the morning
  6. In the morning it is fresh and grows up,
    by the evening it is withered and dry.
  1. A. The effect of God’s anger:
    we are consumed
    Yes, we are consumed by your anger,
    and by your wrath we are terrified.
  2. B. Our deeds are shown to God
    law and justice
    You have set our iniquities before you,
    our secret sins in the light of your presence.
  3. C. Days and years of
    trouble & oppression
    All our days pass away under your wrath,
    we finish our years with a moan.
  4. The length of our days is seventy years,
    or if we have strength, eighty;
    yet their best is but trouble and oppression;
    for they quickly pass and we fly away.
  5. D. God’s anger
    Who knows the strength of your anger
    and your fury is what causes fear.
  6. E. True wisdom: counting correctly
    and days measured out for him
    Teach us to count our days aright,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
  7. D’. God’s compassion
    this is the turning point (all grace)
    Relent O Lord, How long?
    and have compassion on your servants!
  8. C’. Days and years of
    singing and gladness
    Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
    that we may sing for joy and be glad all of our days.
  9. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
    for as many years as we have seen trouble.
  10. B’. God’s deeds are shown to us
    grace
    May your deeds be shown to your servants,
    and your splendour to their children.
  11. A’. The effect of God’s delight:
    we are blessed and established
    May the delight of the Lord our God rest upon us,
    and establish the work of our hands for us,
    yes, establish the work of our hands.

(Andrew Fountain 2025-04-05)