Thru the Bible - #130 -Psalm 90 - God's Eternity and Man's Transitoriness

Transcript

Introduction to Psalm 90

Speaker 1 0:00

Welcome to Berean's Corner , the podcast where we go through books of the Bible chapter by chapter and verse by verse , wherever you are in the world . Thank you for joining . Grab a glass of water , a cup of coffee or tea and let's to Berean's Corner . Open up your Bible to Psalm 90 . Psalm 90 .

Speaker 1 0:40

Now some of you may be thinking , especially if you haven't been with me from the beginning and gone through this thing in chronological order . You may be thinking didn't you just do numbers 15 ? How do we get to Psalm 90 ? Well , let me explain . If you've been with me for a while , you know that I mentioned that we are going to go through the Bible chronologically , meaning that we're going to go through the bible through the books , through the chapters , in the way that that the events actually actually happen , which brings the story alive for you . So we do go through certain books . Like certain books you kind of go straight through , like we did with exodus , for an example . So from the beginning to the end of exodus , those events happen in those orders .

Speaker 1 1:23

But if you remember , if you go back to Genesis , we started out in Genesis the Tower of Babel happened and after that we went into Job . Why ? Because Job was happening around the exact same time that the Lord called Abraham out of Ur to Chaldees . So what's happening here is that everything is going in chronological order . So what's happening here is that everything is going in chronological order . And if you just happen to be looking up Psalms 91 day and you just want to hear someone go through it , and you came to this , what I would encourage you to do over here at Berean's Corner is to go back to the beginning . And there's a reason why I number each lesson Number one , number two , number 50 , number 51 is because we want to go in chronological order . So today we are at Psalm 90 , and this is a prayer of Moses . This is after the events of Numbers 15 . So , as we usually do , we will have our reader come up and read and then we will get into the lesson , psalm 90 , and let's read .

Speaker 2 2:20

Psalm 90 . Lord , you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations , before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world . From everlasting to everlasting , you are God . You turn men back to dust , saying Return to dust , o . Sons of men , for a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by , or like a watch in the night . You sweep men away in the sleep of death . They are like the new grass of the morning , though in the morning it springs up new , by evening it is dry and withered .

Speaker 2 2:59

We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation . You have set our iniquities before you , our secret sins . In the light of your presence . All our days pass away under your wrath . We finish our years with a moan . The length of our days is seventy years , or eighty if we have the strength . Yet their span is but trouble and sorrow , for they quickly pass and we fly away .

Speaker 2 3:31

Who knows the power of your anger , for your wrath is as great as the fear that is due . You Teach us to number our days aright , that we may gain a heart of wisdom . Relent , o Lord , how long will it be ? Have compassion on your servants . Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love , that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days . Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us , for as many years as we have seen trouble . May your deeds be shown to your servants , your splendor to their children . May the favor of the lord , our god , rest upon us . Establish the work of our hands for us . Yes , establish the work of our hands all right now .

Understanding the Psalms and Authors

Speaker 1 4:29

As I mentioned , the title of this lesson is god's eternity and man's transistor turretness . Now , the last time we were together , we looked at the laws of canaan , which included the laws regarding the sojourner and the laws of the Sabbath . Today we are looking at a prayer of Moses here in Psalm 90 . Now , this is the oldest Psalm in scripture . There are 150 Psalms in total . Some think that the Psalms are part of one book . Sometimes you see it in particular , depending on the Bible you're reading , it'll say like book one and book two , but most think that this is part of one book . But the Psalms are spread out over the rest of the Old Testament , with the first being here right after Numbers 15 .

Speaker 1 5:12

Let's look at what Martin Luther said about this remarkable Psalm that we're about to get into . Quoting Martin Luther , just as Moses acts in teaching the law , so does he in this Psalm , for he preaches death , sin and condemnation in order that he may alarm the proud who are secure in their sins , and that he may set before their eyes their sin and evil . Now , before we get into this psalm psalm 90 , the first time that we're covering I want to do a little breakdown of Psalms as a whole . Now I thought about doing a separate uh you know lesson on an intro to Psalm , but I figured I would just get right into it right here and I'm gonna kind of mix my intro , if you will , or introduction , with giving you a little bit about what the Psalms are about . Now there are different authors in the book of Psalms right Now . I've already told you this . One right here is Moses . But there are different authors and I would like to go over some of those right now .

Speaker 1 6:15

Author number one we want to talk about is David . David is the main author of the Psalms , and historical books of the Bible clearly agree to the fact that he wrote and organized music for worship in the sanctuary . We see this in 2 Samuel 22 , verses 1 through 51 . We also see that in 1 Chronicles 6 , verses 7 through 36 . David is specifically credited with writing 73 of the Psalms . It is also speculated that David may have been the one who wrote many other Psalms that do not have specific authorship . You'll notice that some of the Psalms won't have an author behind it . We do not know that . Most of the other writings were closely associated with David right . So we know that David wrote quite a few of the Psalms . You know , luke specifically talks about David writing Psalm 16 and Psalm 110 . You know Luke talked about that in Acts , chapter 2 .

Speaker 1 7:06

The second author we want to talk about is Asaph . Asaph was the head of David's choir in Jerusalem . We see this in First Chronicles , chapter 6 , verse 39 . We also see it in First Chronicles , chapter 15 and chapter 16 . Asaph wrote Psalm 50 and he wrote Psalms you know believed to be 73 to 83 , for a total of 12 Psalms . So it's believed Asaph wrote about 12 Psalms .

Speaker 1 7:32

Third would be the sons of Korah . The sons of Korah were Korathite Levites who were highly honored by King David . They were also chief temple servants at the time of Hezekiah . You can can read about that in 2 Chronicles 20 . These sons of Korah were Levitical singers who wrote , primarily during the captivity and here's some books specifically titled to the sons of Korah Psalm 42 , 44-49 , 84 , 85 , 87 , 89 , for a total of 11 psalms . Fourth would be Solomon , david's son . It is said that Solomon wrote Psalm 72 and 127 , so it's believed that Solomon wrote a total of two Psalms . Next would be Moses . Moses specifically stated that he wrote Psalm 90 , the one that we are going through today . Then we have Ethan . It says that Ethan wrote Psalm 89 , and Ethan was an Ezraite . Okay , now in the Septuagint , it is believed that they claim that Jeremiah wrote Psalm 131 and that Haggai and Zechariah collectively wrote Psalms 138 , 146 , 147 , and 148 . So , as you can tell , there are a number of authors who have been credited writing this book of psalms .

Speaker 1 8:56

Now I want to give you some of the classifications in the psalm . So , depending on what kind of bible you use , you will see a title where it says something like psalm 90 , a psalm of so and so . So , for right here , let

Psalm Classifications and Hebrew Terms

Speaker 1 9:10

me grab my bible I'm using'm using right here , psalm 90 . It says a prayer of Moses , the man of God . So my Bible is telling you that Moses is the author of this Psalm . But you will also see other little subscription , uh , scriptures excuse me in some of the Psalms after you read the chapter . So I'm going to give you some example . We're going to go through some of the various titles that some of these psalms have , and this is all everything I have .

Speaker 1 9:36

To the best of my knowledge , uh , you will see it . Sometimes it will say adjaleeth hash shahar , which is a psalm of the dawn . That's like psalm 22 . You will sometimes see alamoth , which is a psalm related to maidens , young , young unmarried women . You will see it sometimes say at the chef , which is a destroyed , not psalm , example Psalms 57 , 58 , 59 to 75 . Geteth is a psalm of the wine presses for feasts or tabernacles . You will find that in Psalms 8 , 81 and 84 . Higgagon is a Psalm of meditation . We see this in Psalm 9 , 19 and 92 .

Speaker 1 10:23

Judithan , the personal name of one of the three chief musicians , psalm 39 , 62 and 77 . Janeth , elam Rahakim , a Psalm of the dove in a far off tree , psalm 56 . Mahalep , a Psalm of the great dance . We see this in Psalm 53 . Mahalep , a Psalm of great dance in the shawl . We see that in Psalm 88 .

Speaker 1 10:47

Miskul you'll see that quite a bit is an instruction . We see this in Psalm 74 and 78 . Miktan is a poem of gold that is engraved . We see this in Psalm 74 and 78 . Mictan is a poem of gold that is engraved . We see it in Psalms 56 through 60 .

Speaker 1 10:59

Mesmar is a psalm to be sung with musical instruments Psalm 6 , for an example . Mut'laden is a psalm of the death of a champion or a son . We see it in Psalm 9 . Selah is in Psalms and it means stop , consider and think . You will see that quite a bit after some of the Psalms Sigolion , a Psalm of a loud cry and a regular ode , for example , psalm 7 , sure is a song . We see that in Psalm 30 , 66 , 67 , the word song is sure . Shushanan is a Psalm of spring festival or lilies . We see that in Psalm 80 .

Speaker 1 11:43

Tifala is a prayer . We see that in Psalm 17 . And then we have Tihala , not Tifala like we just read , but Tihala is a praise . We see that in Psalm 145 , and that is only used once , but it is a hebrew title of psalm . So I did all of that to give you an example of the psalms , because when you're reading the psalms yourself , you may have wondered at times okay , what is this miscal , or what is this ? You know ? Uh , this and that , where it doesn't give a particular name . So now you have an idea of the psalm . So when we go through the book of psalms , when we go through the other 149 after this , you will have an idea .

Speaker 1 12:23

Now back to today's lesson , which is psalm

God's Eternity vs. Human Transience

Speaker 1 12:27

90 . We will break this psalm down into four parts . Part number one God is everlasting to everlasting . Actually , I am going to keep your finger right here in Psalm 90 , if you , if you want to , you can go back with me to Numbers 15 . Remember , I said this came after Numbers 15 , so what we're going to do is we're going to put it right in this context . So , if you want to turn back to Numbers 15 and I'm going to start at Numbers 15 . And I'm reading verses 38 to 41 .

Speaker 1 12:56

And then we're going to go right into Psalm 90 to show how this prayer came about Numbers 15 , verse 38 . Speak to the sons of Israel and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations , and that they shall put the tassels of each corner a cord of blue , and it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord , so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes , after which you played the harlot , in order that you may remember to do all my commandments and be holy to your God . I am the Lord , your God , who brought you out from the land of Egypt to be your God . I am the Lord , your God . Right to Psalm 90 , verse 1 through 2 . Right after that Moses went right into this prayer Lord , thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations , before the mountains were born , where thou dost give birth to the earth and the world . Even from everlasting to everlasting , thou art God . So Moses is starting this Psalm out by giving it's a prayer , but he's starting out by giving praise to the Lord .

Speaker 1 14:05

Then we move on to part two . Man's time on earth is short . We see this in verses three to six . Thou dost turn back unto dust and dost say return . O children of men for a thousand years in thy sight are like yesterday when it passes by , or as a watch in the night . Thou has swept them away like a flood . They will fall asleep in the morning . They are like grass with sprouts anew . In the morning it flourishes and sprouts anew . Towards evening it fades and withers away . What is he talking about ? He's talking about that's us . Our time is short on this earth . Sometimes we look at you know people who sometimes live a good long life . 88 , I would say about 88 to 100 , that's a good long life and full of years . But the Lord is saying that when you really look at it in the scheme of things , in the big picture of things . It's really a short time . We move on to part three .

Speaker 1 15:03

The reasons , man , time is short is because of sin . We see this in verses 7 to 12 , for we have been consumed by thine anger and by thy wrath . We have been dismayed . Who is he talking about ? The lord , thine anger , the lord thou , has placed our iniquities before thee , our secret sins , in the light of thy presence . What is he saying here ? There , there are no secret sins to the lord . The lord knows all for all . Our days have declined in thy fury . We have finished our years like a sigh . As for the day of our life , they contain 70 years or , if due to strength , 80 years . Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow . For soon it is gone and we fly away Still talking about how short our time is here because of our sin . Who understands the power of thine anger and thy fury , according to the fear that is due thee ? Ok , who understands , lord ? We don't . We don't understand it .

Speaker 1 16:04

Verse 12 . So teach us to number our days that we may present to thee a heart of wisdom . Teach us to number our days . Take each day as a blessing , take each day precious and remember that that day could be your last day . Now I want to look at , uh , go back , I want to look at verse 8 one more time .

Speaker 1 16:24

Thou has placed our iniquity before thee , our secret sins , in the light of thy presence once again . He knows of all of our secret sins , right ? He knows of the things that we do in the dark places . As a matter of fact , he mentions this in one more place . Keep your finger right here , uh , in psalm 90 , and go to psalm 139 . Real quick , psalm 139 . Let me illustrate the point that he brings this up again , about , uh , about our secret sin . Psalm 139 , verse 1 . Oh , lord , thou has searched me and known me . Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up .

Speaker 1 17:03

Drop down to verse 12 . Even the darkness is not dark to thee , and the night is as bright as the day . Darkness and light are alike

Sin's Effect on Lifespan

Speaker 1 17:12

to thee . What is he ? What is he saying right there ? Even the darkness is not dark to thee . So even when we do things in the dark , it's not dark to the Lord . We are hiding from other people . We do things . You know what does the scripture say ? Those who do their , they do it at night . We do our evil at nighttime because you think nobody can see us . But nighttime is like daytime to the Lord . You can't hide from him . And even in the daytime , when it's bright , his wisdom , his eyes shine even brighter . He sees everything .

Speaker 1 17:39

We will move on to part four . But there is good news for sinful man God can still bless you . We see this in verses 13 through 17, . Back in Psalm 90 , 13 to 17 . Do return , o Lord . How long will it be ? And be sorry for thy servants , o , sanctify us in the morning with thy loving kindness , that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days . Make us glad according to the days thou has afflicted us in the years we have seen evil . Yes , we have let thy work appear to thy servants and thy majesty to thy children . And let the favor of the lord , our god , be upon us and do confirm for us the work of our hands . Yes , confirm the work of our hands . God can still bless even sinful men , you and I , even in our sin . He can still bless us . Now , he doesn't want us to stay in our sin . He does not want us to stay in our evil , but when we're willing to come up out of it , he can still bless . Bless us All right . That brings us to the end of Psalm 90 , moses prayer .

Speaker 1 18:47

I hope that you got something out of this lesson . As always , continue to pray for me to stay steadfast in the work , because our time is short . On this earth , the clouds are forming every single day . You see something to let us know that the Lord is near , and near to the Lord could be another hundred years from now . Lord could be another 100 years from now . It could be another 80 years from now , but it could also be another 80 or even 80 days from now , and I will continue to pray for you as well . I appreciate you all very much . That is all for now , god bless .

Speaker 1 19:17

Thank you for listening to Berean's Corner . We appreciate you joining us as we dive into God's word and see biblical truth together . If this episode encouraged or challenged , you be sure to subscribe , share and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform . You can find Berean's Corner on Buzzsprout , apple Podcasts , spotify , iheart , amazon Music and more . Let's stay connected . If you have questions , comments or prayer requests , reach out to us at BereansCornerBuzzsproutcom , where you can follow along with show transcripts and leave a message in the fan mail slot . Also follow us on YouTube at Bereans Corner and don't forget to subscribe . We'd love to hear from you . Until next time , keep searching the scriptures like a Berean no-transcript

Finding Grace in God's Presence

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