Psalm 90
You did it!! You read and studied the book of Genesis, the book of beginnings, that opens the door to the rest of Scripture. Together, we unpacked God’s creation (Gen. 1-2), God’s work with individuals (Gen. 3-11), and God’s work with his chosen people through whom he sent Jesus (Gen. 12-50). Now, we continue a vital part of our study—a review of Genesis through the eyes of the psalms. Over the following days, we will consider several psalms corresponding to what we have learned in the Bible’s first book. We will use the flow of Genesis as our guide.
The Book of Psalms has served as the worship and prayer guide for the nation of Israel as well as for believers today. We’ll take lessons from Genesis, echoed in the Psalms, to purposefully drive these key truths deep within our lives, ensuring that this knowledge moves from our minds to our hearts.
Moses, the author of Genesis, began with the words, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” The first four words of the Bible, “In the beginning, God…” introduce two of God’s essential attributes. First, God is eternal; before creation he already existed. Second, God is all-powerful. The name used for God in Genesis 1:1 is Elohim. ‘El’ is the singular form, while ‘Elohim’ is the plural. The plural form is not about the Trinity; it is known as a “plural of majesty” or “plural of intensity.” Elohim describes God as the all-powerful Sovereign over all things. His action demonstrates his power: Elohim created the heavens and the earth. Perhaps Moses was reflecting on the first verse of the Bible as he began Psalm 90. This psalm is titled “A Prayer of Moses, the man of God” and it is the oldest of the one hundred fifty psalms. Notice how the initial verses of the psalm correspond to the first words of Genesis.
Psalm 90:1-2
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.
God is eternal; he is everlasting. Before he spoke the world into existence, God already was. There has never been a nanosecond when God was not. There will never be a nanosecond when God is not. To explain “from everlasting to everlasting,” theologian A. W. Tozer uses the phrase “from vanishing point to vanishing point.” He states, “The mind looks backward in time until the dim past vanishes, then turns and looks into the future until thought and imagination collapse from exhaustion; and God is at both points, unaffected by either.”[1] The Bible never attempts to explain God’s eternal nature. It is presented as fact: “In the beginning, God” was. He is God “from everlasting to everlasting.”
And yet, the God outside of time works within time. Tozer states, “God dwells in eternity, but time dwells in God.”[2] Moses declares that this eternal God has entered the realm of humanity to be our dwelling place. The Hebrew word “maon,” translated as “dwelling place,” portrays God as our refuge, our source of protection. We run to his embrace for comfort, peace, and security. He is always there because he is eternal. C. H. Spurgeon elaborates on how God’s eternality allows him to be man’s generational refuge.
In this Eternal One, there is a safe abode for the successive generations of men. If God himself were of yesterday, he would not be a suitable refuge for mortal men; if he could change and cease to be God he would be but an uncertain dwelling place for his people.[3]
An illustration from C. S. Lewis is helpful here. Lewis suggests that we visualize a sheet of paper and infinitely expand that sheet in our minds. As far as your imagination allows, all you see in front of you is a sheet of white paper. Now, envision a one-inch-long line representing time on that infinitely expanded sheet. Time and our lives are finite. We have a beginning and an end. But God is infinitely endless.[4]
Since God is eternal, or as the writer of the Hebrews says, his life is indestructible (Heb. 7:16), we can be sure of these truths.[5]
- God’s life does not change (Ps. 93:2).
- God’s character does not change (Jas. 1:17).
- God’s truth does not change (Isa. 40:6-8).
- God’s purposes do not change (Num. 23:19).
- God’s Son does not change (Heb. 13:8).
Moses emphasizes that God is eternal, in contrast to man, who is not. When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, the consequence of their rebellion against God was death—both spiritual and physical. In Genesis 3:19, God told Adam, “For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Moses reiterates this truth.
Psalm 90:3-6
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.
Because God is eternal, a thousand years are like a day, a three-hour night watch, a flood that quickly evaporates, a night’s dream, or grass that withers in the heat of the day. Sin has led to shortened lives; we live under the penalty of God’s judgment on sin.
Psalm 90:7-10
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.
This psalm was written during Israel’s time of wandering in the desert. God delivered them from slavery in Egypt, and they set out for the promised land. However, they failed to trust in God’s promises and rebelled against him (Num. 14:11-25). Consequently, God sentenced the unbelieving generation to die in the desert. Their short lives, lasting seventy to eighty years, would be filled with trouble, and then they would “fly away.”
Moses reminds us that God is eternal. His life, character, truth, purposes, and Son are unchanging. He is the only One who can uphold his promises from generation to generation.
PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read Psalm 90. Focus on the eternal nature of God and the temporary nature of man.
Talking to God
Moses concludes this psalm by praying for those he is leading. Let’s adapt Moses’ prayer for our lives.
God, teach us to number our days and give us discernment to make the most of every minute you give us (Ps. 90:11-12).
God, life is filled with challenges. Please show us your mercy (Ps. 90:13).
Heavenly Father, let our hearts always be satisfied with you. Give us joy, even in our afflictions (Ps. 90:14-15).
Father, in the words of Moses, “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!” (Ps. 90:16-17).
Have Questions?
We desire to help you stay engaged in God’s Word. Please interact with our team by submitting any questions you have. They’ll respond soon.
Two more things:
- Visit ronmoore.org/lifemap for an exercise that will help you discover how God is writing his story in you. I’ve also included a life map of Joseph as an example.
- We will meet on a Zoom call on February 25 at 7:00 p.m. to review what we have learned in Genesis and answer questions. If you wish to participate, a link to the call will be provided.
[1] A. W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy (HarperOne, 1961), 39.
[2] Tozer, 39.
[3] C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers), Vol. 2, 61.
[4] Tozer, 39-40. For an excellent discussion regarding God’s eternality see C. S. Lewis’ chapter “Time and Beyond Time” in Mere Christianity.
[5] The points are taken from J. I. Packer, Knowing God (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 1973), 77-80.
Great word today Ron! I really like connecting Psalms to reinforce our study of Genesis! Thank you and the team!