The issues Moses grapples with in Psalm 90 are very similar to what we grapple with in our day, especially during the pandemic and it’s aftermath. Yet in the midst of consuming darkness we are given hope and help. Our God is on the throne!
Psalm 90 is a powerful psalm of liturgy. It is set in the context of the life of the children of Israel as they journey to the promised land, hence Moses as it’s author. It is likely the oldest psalm in the Old Testament and reminds us that in the midst of calamity and disaster God has ‘been our help in ages past and will be our hope for years to come‘ as we sing in Issac Watts’ famous hymn.
Listen to Rodgers Atwebembeire as he unpacks the 3 sections of this Psalm: Praise (vs 1 & 2), Lament (vs 3 – 12) and a Plea for Favour and God’s Restoration (vs 11 – 17).
Text: Psalm 90:1-17
Date preached: April 2020
Location: New City Community Church, Kampala, Uganda
Transcript
A Prayer of Moses, the Man of God.
90 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
3 You return man to dust
and say, “Return, O children of man!”
4 For a thousand years in your sight
are but as yesterday when it is past,
or as a watch in the night.
5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning:
6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.
7 For we are brought to an end by your anger;
by your wrath we are dismayed.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
9 For all our days pass away under your wrath;
we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
10 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.
11 Who considers the power of your anger,
and your wrath according to the fear of you?
12 So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
13 Return, O Lord! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil.
16 Let your work be shown to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
17 Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands!
