Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God. You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals!” For you, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours. You sweep people away like dreams that disappear. They are like grass that springs up in the morning. In the morning it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered. We wither beneath your anger; we are overwhelmed by your fury. You spread out our sins before you— our secret sins—and you see them all. We live our lives beneath your wrath, ending our years with a groan. Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. Who can comprehend the power of your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. O Lord, come back to us! How long will you delay? Take pity on your servants! Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good. Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory. And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!
Psalms 90:1-17 NLT
This is the oldest psalm in the Bible, composed by Moses over 3300 years ago. God is described as sovereign over all generations, and humans are only passing dust. This psalm begins Book Four of Psalms, covering psalms 90-106. These psalms are mostly anonymous, and they focus on the greatness of God in the midst of a world that is hard. People will oppose and oppress the Lord’s people, yet God remains faithful, and those who trust in Him will endure (90:17). Moses saw the Lord face to face, and he was aware of his own frailty compared to God. He was aware of his sins and accepted that God could be angry with him (vv.7-9). Our hope is found in the very character of God: He is loving and faithful. It is His love that satisfies us every morning and fills us with joy (v.14).
The same God who led Moses into the Promised Land is leading you today. The world has changed, but God has not; He is always faithful, loving, and righteous. Our lives are so short, yet we often think that we are the center of the universe. Go back through this psalm and note the humility that comes from walking with the Lord. We are dearly loved as frail children; our strength is in Him alone.
How can your soul be “satisfied each morning with God’s unfailing love”? Why is it important to remember that our lives are frail and temporary?
