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Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 90

Click here to read PSALM 90 in poetic form

Background

Psalm 90 begins the Numbers Book of the Psalms, which goes to Psalm 106. God’s rest is a major theme of these 17 Psalms, and this specific Psalm shows the need for God’s rest.

This Psalm includes the title “A prayer of Moses the man of God.” This initiates the Numbers Book of Psalms, which shows how Moses led the children of Israel through the wilderness. The phrase “man of God” occurs 78 times in the King James Version of the Bible. Of those, 10 refer to “a man of God” and 60 refer to “the man of God.” Those included with this term are Moses, Samuel, David, Elijah, Elisha, Shemaiah, Igdaliah, and others unnamed. Paul tells Timothy that scripture is given that the man of God may be prepared on all points. Jesus Christ is the greatest example of a man of (from and devoted to) God.

Structure

(Verses 1-4) God is an everlasting dwelling place

(Verses 5-12) Man is temporary and troubled

(Verses 13) Prayer for God’s help in all our days

Key Scriptures

Verse 4—“For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.” Peter quotes this scripture in II Peter 3:8: “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” The context is Peter answering a question in verse 4: “And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?” He says in verse 10 that “the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.” The time now is given by God’s grace for whosoever will to believe on His Son for salvation. Verse 15: “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you.” Therefore, we are to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Verse 9—“as a tale that is told.” The Hebrew simply reads, “as a sigh.” Without God’s help through the Messiah, life is worrisome and filled with sighing.

Verses 14,17—“O satisfy us early with Thy mercy,” “And let the beauty of the Lord.” Moses and others longed for God’s loving kindness and grace. They wanted to see His beauty (Hebrew: splendor, grace). Jesus Christ is the answer to their prayers. He brought “grace upon grace” (John 1:16). The next verse says, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

FOR FURTHER STUDY

All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!

The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.

One reply on “Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 90”

Gene, Thank you for sharing your beautiful love for the Word, your depth of understanding and your research. You are a treasure and such a blessing to the body of Christ! Ephesians 4:16 comes to mind, “…every joint supplieth…”, ” From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Figuratively speaking your joint supplies a whole lot and nourishes my soul! Thank you! Much love and blessings to you and your family you all are in my daily prayers!

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