Book Four (Psalms 90–106)
June 18 A READ PSALMS 90–97
God’s Seal of Approval
OVERVIEW
Book Four opens with the oldest of the psalms, Moses’ testimony of faith in an eternal God (Psalm 90). God’s people find their refuge (91) and their joy (92) in the God who reigns over all (93) and avenges the wrongs done to his own (94). The invitation is extended for all to worship (95), sing praises (96), and gladly acknowledge the incomparable greatness of the God of Israel (97).
MY DAILY WALK
Thousands of items sold today display an endorsement by a celebrity or an organization. For many shoppers, the presence—or absence—of such a recommendation has a significant impact on their decision to buy the product.
In Psalm 90 Moses speaks of another “seal of approval”—this one found, not on a product, but on a life; one issued, not by a testing agency, but by God himself. In contrast to the briefness of human life, God reserves his stamp of approval for endeavors of eternal significance. Earthly products soon rust or wear out, but God’s seal of approval is the mark of eternity on a life. Whatever is done apart from God ends in death; whatever is accomplished for his glory lasts for eternity (Matthew 6:19-21).
Look for a recommendation on a product you have around the house and put it in a prominent place to remind you throughout the day to live for God’s approval—with eternity’s values in view.
THE PERSON WHO DOES GOOD FOR GOD’S GLORY SEEKS NEITHER PRAISE NOR REWARD BUT IS SURE OF BOTH IN THE END.
INSIGHT
The Dark Background of Psalm 90 | Ps. 90:1-17
Verses 90:7-12 seem to indicate that Moses wrote Psalm 90 during the time of wilderness wandering—the forty-year period when roughly six hundred thousand Israelite men (with their wives) died for unbelief (Numbers 14:21-23). What clearer reminder of Israel’s mortality could there be (Psalm 90:9-10) than an average of one funeral every twenty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, for forty years?
INSIGHT
Time to Refocus | Ps. 95–100
Psalms 95–100 form a collection of worship psalms. In contrast to the lament and petition that characterize so much of the Psalter, these six psalms contain only worship and adoration as the psalmist fixes his gaze on God.
A prayer of Moses, the man of God.
1Lord, through all the generations
you have been our home!
2Before the mountains were born,
before you gave birth to the earth and the world,
from beginning to end, you are God.
3You turn people back to dust, saying,
“Return to dust, you mortals!”
4For you, a thousand years are as a passing day,
as brief as a few night hours.
5You sweep people away like dreams that disappear.
They are like grass that springs up in the morning.
6In the morning it blooms and flourishes,
but by evening it is dry and withered.
7We wither beneath your anger;
we are overwhelmed by your fury.
8You spread out our sins before you—
our secret sins—and you see them all.
9We live our lives beneath your wrath,
ending our years with a groan.
10Seventy 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.
11Who can comprehend the power of your anger?
Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve.
12Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
so that we may grow in wisdom.
13O LORD, come back to us!
How long will you delay?
Take pity on your servants!
14Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,
so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
15Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery!
Replace the evil years with good.
16Let us, your servants, see you work again;
let our children see your glory.
17And may the Lord our God show us his approval
and make our efforts successful.
Yes, make our efforts successful!