Lesson 10 Psalm 90 Day One Our Dwelling Place Psalm 90:1faithprc.org/pdf/WomensBibleStudy/Women Bible Study... · 2014-07-22 · Psalm 90 Day One Our Dwelling Place Psalm 90:1 "No

Bible Studyby Richard Moore

Lesson 10

Psalm 90

Day One

Our Dwelling Place

Psalm 90:1

"No doubt, the condition of all men is unstable upon earth; but we know that Abraham and his posterity were, above all others, sojourners, and as it were exiles. Since, then, they wandered in the land of Canaan till they were brought into Egypt, where they lived only by sufferance from day to day, it was necessary for them to seek for themselves a dwelling-place under the shadow of God, without which they could hardly be accounted inhabitants of the world, since they continued everywhere strangers, and were afterwards led about through many windings and turnings. The grace which the Lord displayed in sustaining them in their wanderings, and shielding them with his hand when they sojourned among savage and cruel nations, and were exposed to injurious treatment at their hands - this grace is extolled by Moses in very striking terms, when he represents God as an abode or dwelling-place to these poor fugitives who were continually wandering from one place to another in quest of lodgings. This grace he magnifies from the length of time during which it had been exercised; for God ceased not to preserve and defend them for the space of more than four hundred years, during which time they dwelt under the wings of his protection." Commentary by Calvin

Scripture Reading for this Lesson:

Deuteronomy 33:27-29 "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew. Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places."

Read Also: Deuteronomy 33:1; Psalm 91:1; Psalm 89:1; Ezekiel 11:16-17; John 6;56; I John 4:16

Consider the following Questions in the Discussion:

1. This Psalm is attributed to Moses, to what then does Moses refer when he says Jehovah is our dwelling place?

2. What is the importance of Moses beginning this Psalm by addressing God by the name Jehovah?

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3. Also we could ask the question why does Moses refer to the faithfulness of God "in all generations"?

4. How can we also live in the consciousness of this faithfulness of God in our churches through generations?

5. Should we strive to remind our children of this truth?

A few thoughts concerning this passage: "This Psalm is entitled, “The prayer of Moses the man of God,” through whom, His man, God

gave the law to His people, through whom He freed them from the house of slavery, and led them forty years through the wilderness. Moses was therefore the Minister of the Old, and the Prophet of the New Testament. For “all these things,” saith the Apostle, “happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, unto whom the ends of the world come.” In accordance therefore with this dispensation which was vouchsafed to Moses, this Psalm is to be examined, as it has received its title from his prayer." This quote is from Augustine's Commentary. It sets forth a proper understanding of the introduction to this Psalm. Moses did write psalms as is evident from the Old Testament Scriptures. Therefore as we consider this Psalm it will be from the perspective that it was spoken in the days of Moses' life, although it was probably penned later as was most of the Pentateuch, but the oral passage of the truth was kept pure, and especially we know that the Spirit gave this word to us through the means of men perfectly.

In this light Moses is concerned that God's children always remember God's faithfulness to His covenant in particular as they pass through many trying times and are faced with many enemies throughout this life. So he begins this Psalm by calling on God by His covenant Name, Jehovah. And by this name we know that God's unchangeableness and His sovereignty is on the foreground. These attributes we must remember as we face trial, and as we face the enemies of God, yea even the three-fold enemy:satan, the world, and our flesh. God directs all things according to His perfect wisdom and counsel. Therefore, Israel and we must understand that God works all things, or brings all things to pass, in order to bring us to salvation and our eternal dwelling in glory.

Further, we are directed by this Psalm to see and understand that God has been our dwelling place in all generations. In the first place, the idea of Jehovah being our dwelling place, does not refer to the tabernacle as Calvin points out. And the reason for this understanding is the fact that the writer points out that Jehovah has been this dwelling place for generations. The tabernacle the Israelites had only from the time of the wilderness journey. But Jehovah has always been and will always be the dwelling place of His people. This means that we find our peace and have our fellowship only as we are in God's presence. Only when we find our all in Him. And we know that already now our abode, or retreat. In His arms are we kept, we find there our care, and in Him alone is life, in Christ. Jesus points this out to us in His answer to Judas, not Iscariot when it is written, in John 14:23 "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." All we find in an earthly dwelling, we find spiritually in Jehovah through Christ our Lord, only much more. It is our refuge, it is our joy, it is our home, it is our place of comfort and peace, etc. Even more our dwelling in Jehovah.

Finally, this is true in all generations. Moses saw this as God dwelt with His people in the line of His fathers. Not only in Abraham and Jacob, but also in Adam, and Seth and the generations from then until Moses. God was always the place where God's people were kept in time of all trial and temptation. He was their strength and their refuge.

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Conclusion: Thus we may say with the Psalmist: Psalm 61:4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah."

Day Two

From Everlasting to Everlasting Our God

Psalm 90:2

"Moses designs to set forth some high and hidden mystery, and yet he seems to speak feebly, and, as it were, in a puerile manner. For who does not know that God existed before the world? This we grant is a truth which all men admit; but we will scarcely find one in a hundred who is thoroughly persuaded that God remains unchangeably the same. God is here contrasted with created beings, who, as all know, are subject to continual changes, so that there is nothing stable under heaven. As, in a particular manner, nothing is fuller of vicissitude than human life, that men may not judge of the nature of God by their own fluctuating condition, he is here placed in a state of settled and undisturbed tranquillity. Thus the everlastingness of which Moses speaks is to be referred not only to the essence of God, but also to his providence, by which he governs the world. Although he subjects the world to many alterations, he remains unmoved; and that not only in regard to himself, but also in regard to the faithful, who find from experience, that instead of being wavering, he is stedfast in his power, truth, righteousness, and goodness, even as he has been from the beginning. This eternal and unchangeable stedfastness of God could not be perceived prior to the creation of the world, since there were as yet no eyes to be witnesses of it. But it may be gathered a posteriori; for while all things are subject to revolution and incessant vicissitude, his nature continues always the same. There may be also here a contrast between him and all the false gods of the heathen, who have, by little and little, crept into the world in such vast numbers, through the error and folly of men." Commentary by Calvin

Scripture for this Lesson:

Psalm 102:24-27 "I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end."

Read Also: Job 38:4-6; Proverbs 8:25-26; Genesis 1:1; Psalm 146:5-6; Hebrews 1:10-10-12; Revelation 1:8.


1. What is time?

2. Why are the mountains mentioned in this verse?

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3. What was before the forming of the earth and the world?

4. Why is it important for us to know that God has been before the mountains and the forming of the earth?

5. What is the idea of the phrase,"from everlasting to everlasting"?

A few thoughts concerning this passage?

Moses in this Psalm is going to direct our attention to the many struggles that God's people will face in this life, and in particular struggles because of our sin. He will point out our brevity of life, and the need we have for repentance and turning. However, by beginning the discussion of this life cycle through which we must pass, he draws our attention with himself to the truth that God alone is God, and that He is before all things in this creation.

It is important we see this mystery in as far as He reveals it unto us. We must be given to understand that as God he is different than any creature. This because He is God. He has no beginning and no ending, we do and all creatures do. But God always is and has been, and will be, everlastingly He remains the same. The I Am, that I Am is our God. Moses mentions the mountains because when man looks at them it seems as though nothing could move or make them, so majestic and strong they do appear. Nevertheless God has brought them forth according to His will by calling them forth by the Word of His power. He has formed the earth and the world, the distinction between the terms earth and world, is that the first refers to the ground itself, the minerals, etc. and the term world refers to the fact that the earth is inhabited. God has created the earth and the inhabitants, of course this also includes the angels and the fallen angels.

This text in the context points out to us that God is alone God, not other gods can say this, they are all made by man, they have a beginning and an end. They can do nothing, but our God is not only Creator of all things, but also Provider of things in this life. He sends the trials and provides the escape through His Son our Lord. And our Lord Jesus Christ, is God come in our flesh, He too was from before the earth was formed and the mountains were brought forth, thus all things in creation, even the fall of man serves our salvation.

Finally, I would like to say that this text is another one of Scripture that while not addressing this matter in this text specifically, is nevertheless a text that clearly points out the absurdity of the evolutionist. Things do not evolve but are created and serve God's purpose in all their working. Man tries to deny the creation of the World because they do not want to stand before a living God Who judges man and all things. But the Scripture is clear and we must serve God in holy fear and obedience.

Conclusion: The God Whom we serve is the living God Who has created the heavens and the earth, and has done so for our salvation even through the deep way of sin and grace.

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Day Three

Brought to the Grave

Psalm 90: 3

"Psalm 90:3 In contradistinction from his own unchangeableness and eternity. Man passes away; God continues ever the same. The word rendered "destruction" - dakkaa' (OT:1793) - means properly anything beaten or broken small or very fine, and hence, "dust." The idea here is, that God causes man to return to dust; that is, the elements which compose the body return to their original condition, or seem to mingle with the earth. Gen 3:19: "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." The word "man" here, of course, refers to man in general-all people. It is the great law of our being. Individual man, classes of people, generations of people, races of people, pass away; but God remains the same. The Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate render this, "Thou turnest man to "humiliation;" which, though not the sense of the original, is a true idea, for there is nothing more humiliating than that a human body, once so beautiful, should turn back to dust; nothing more humbling than the grave.

[And sayest, Return, ye children of men] Return to your dust; go back to the earth from which you came. Return, all of you without exception; kings, princes, nobles, warriors, conquerors; mighty people, captains, and counselors; ye learned and great, ye honored and flattered, ye beautiful and happy, ye youthful and vigorous, and ye aged and venerable; whatever is your rank, whatever are your possessions, whatever are your honors, whatever you have to make you lovely, to charm, to please, to be admired; or whatever there is to make you loathsome and detestable; ye vicious, ye profane, low, groveling, sensual, debased; go all of you alike to "dust!' Oh, how affecting the thought that this is the lot of man; how much should it do to abase the pride of the race; how much should it do to make any man sober and humble, that he himself is soon to turn back to dust-unhonored, undistinguished, and undistinguishable dust! (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)


Genesis 3:18-19 "Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

Read Also: Job 12:10; Job 24:14-15; Psalm 104:29; Job 34:15


1. Having pointed out God's infinite Being, now the Psalmist points out that man is brought to destruction, what is the significance of this?

2. God does this, what does this say about our death?

3. Is this true of the infant babe in the womb that dies?

4. The first word in Hebrew for man in this verse is mortal, how is this important to this verse?

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5. The second phrase shows how God turns man to destruction, again what does this say about the one who dies in a car "accident"?

A few thoughts concerning this text:

Moses has called upon God as his dwelling place and we confess this with him. The wonder is that God is from everlasting to everlasting, He has no limits not of time or of space. He is the eternal and infinite God, sovereign in all His will and works. He has created and made all things, and He likewise is the One Who governs those things that He has made.

So we may rely upon Him for all things in this life. He loves us from eternity in Christ, and works all things for our salvation. In Him we may trust. But in contrast man returns to the dust. The literal meaning of the term "destruction" is to be crushed as a stone, crushed to become dust. The literal idea of the term "turnest" is to return back; the idea is we return back to the dust from which He formed us. We have a beginning and we have an end. We are mortal as the term "man" means literally.

We can not trust in man, it would be foolish, for all mankind returns to dust even as God calls them or says to them return. When God speaks thus man enters the grave, whether a little babe or an aged saint. This is true when one happens to be in a store and a wicked man comes in with a gun and shoots and kills many in the store, God says at that moment return, and we become dust. Whether you are rich or poor, whether you are a king or a slave, all men return to the dust. Then why trust in the things in this life, the earthly riches, etc. for it fails.

On the other hand when our trust is in God, it is well founded for He is from everlasting to everlasting the living covenant God Who in mercy is with us.

Conclusion: How humbling is this verse, we are but creatures of the dust, we have no worthiness or power in ourselves to be saved. How wonderful that we can turn to God and know that He it is that leads us through this life even to the grave, and in Christ through the grave into heaven to dwell with Him forever.

Day Four

Remembering God Not Limited by Time

Psalm 90: 4

Although we are convinced from experience that men, when they have completed their circle, are forthwith taken out of the world, yet the knowledge of this frailty fails in making a deep impression upon our hearts, because we do not lift our eyes above the world. Whence proceeds the great stupidity of men, who, bound fast to the present state of existence, proceed in the affairs of life as if they were to live two thousand years, but because they do not elevate their conceptions above visible objects? Each man, when he compares himself with others, flatters himself that he will live to a great age. In short, men are so dull as to think that thirty years, or even a smaller number, are, as it were, an eternity; nor are they impressed with the brevity of their life so long as this world keeps possession of their thoughts. This is the reason why Moses awakens us by elevating our minds to the eternity of God, without the consideration of which we perceive not how speedily our life vanishes away. The imagination that we shall have a long life, resembles a profound sleep in which we are all benumbed, until meditation upon

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the heavenly life swallow up this foolish fancy respecting the length of our continuance upon earth. As men are thus blinded, Moses sets before their view God as their judge. O Lord! as if he had said, if men would duly reflect upon that eternity from which thou beholdest these inconstant circlings of the world, they would not make so great account of the present life. But as, instead of seriously considering what is true duration, they rather willfully turn away their eyes from heaven, this explains why they are so stupid, and look upon one day as if it were a hundred years. Moses’ apostrophe to God is emphatic, implying that his patience being exhausted at seeing us so thoughtless, he addresses himself to God; and that it was labor to no purpose for him to speak to the deaf, who would not be taught that they were mortal, no, not even by the proofs of this, which experience was constantly presenting before them." Commentary by Calvin


II Peter 3:7-9 "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 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 Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Read Also: Matthew 14:25; Luke 12:38; Psalm 102: 26-27; Hebrews 13:8;

Consider the following Question in the Discussion:

1. What does this verse say about what time means to God?

2. What does this verse teach us should be our attitude toward time?

3. What is a watch in the night?

4. What does this verse teach us with respect to our life and what shall follow?

5. Do we often sin in regard to our view of time in our lives? How?

6. We have only recently started another new year how does this text affect our outlook on this coming year?

A few thoughts concerning this passage:

As man lives in the midst of the world he is governed by time, we have all come under the limits of time. The clock in fact runs our lives. We find that we must hurry to get this or that done because we only have a limited time to accomplish it. We find because we are always so conscious of time and the need to accomplish various tasks in a time frame that we also can judge God as we would man. Then we may wonder why does it seem so long that God takes to accomplish His purpose. In fact the wicked even say that God is not going to accomplish His purpose, they judge and say,"Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."II Peter 3:4 But the Spirit through Peter teaches us the heavens and the earth, which are now, are by the Word kept in store, and are reserved into fire against the day of

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judgment and perdition of ungodly men. And then Peter quotes our text saying in, II Peter 3:8-9 "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 Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

You see, man because he is governed by time, often wants to view God in the same light, and would judge that God is slack concerning His promise. This is sinful because we who are but creatures of the dust may never judge Him that hath created us. But man does this, and we do this even in our daily life. We do this when we think that we do not advance quick enough in our work. We do this when we think that we are sick too long, or our cold lasts too long, or that we do not have enough time to ourselves. You see, we are complainers and these kind of complaints are against God and His will for us. This can come to manifestation especially as we grow old and weak and frail and we think we should be in heaven, that this life has no longer purpose for us, and we may ask why O God so long before we are able to go home to glory. But this too is wrong, O, Not wrong to desire to go to heaven and to be with God, but wrong to judge God's time table or in other words His portion that He sends us. Indeed it would be gain to go to glory, but it may indeed be needful that we continue here for the welfare of our family, our spouse, our church or our neighbor. God uses us to accomplish His purpose and He determines the time and the history of man.

God is not limited by time. A thousand years are but as the day past, or even a 3 hour watch of the night. Time is a creature that He has made and serves His purpose and His will. God in his long suffering will save every child he has chosen, and we are not to judge when the last is gathered, but we are to learn to wait patiently upon the Lord.

We can get very earthly minded and think that we live a long time and we accomplish so much, and can boast in all we can accomplish in a day or year, and strive to fill the day or year with as much as possible, not even hardly taking time to worship our God because of the busyness of the day. But such is grievous sin, we are creatures that last but a speck of time, we can do nothing in this time to increase our God, to prosper Him, or to make Him more glorious. A thousand years are but as a day to God, He gathers His children according to His purpose, He glorifies Himself in the way He pleases. Our days are but a brief thing on this earth, but we must look upward to God Who is not limited by time, and Who is pleased to make us in Christ partakers of everlasting life.

Conclusion: We must not be self-centered in our use of the time God has given us, but learn to patiently wait the will of God, and use the time He gives us in His service, whether in home, work, or church. How precious it is to go up to the house of God on Sunday for a time of rest from our labor, to be fed and nourished by the Word unto everlasting life. Then no sermon will be to long for us to sit through and enjoy, if it pleases God to give us His Word through this means. Be still and know that Jehovah He is God.

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Day Five

Our Fleeting Life

Psalm 90: 5-6

"Psalm 90:5 "[Thou carriest them away as with a flood] The original here is a single verb with the suffix - zªramtaam (OT:2229). The verb - zaaram (OT:2229) - means, to flow, to pour; then, to pour upon, to overwhelm, to wash away. The idea is, that they were swept off as if a torrent bore them from the earth, carrying them away without regard to order, rank, age, or condition. So death makes no discrimination. Every day that passes, multitudes of every age, sex, condition, rank, are swept away and consigned to the grave-as they would be if a raging flood should sweep over a land.

[They are as a sleep] The original here is, "a sleep they are." The whole sentence is exceedingly graphic and abrupt: "Thou sweepest them away; a sleep they are-in the morning-like grass-it passes away." The idea is that human life resembles a sleep, because it seems to pass so swiftly; to accomplish so little; to be so filled with dreams and visions, none of which remain or become permanent.

The word rendered "groweth up," is in the margin translated "is changed." The Hebrew word - chaalap (OT:2498) - means to pass, to pass along, to pass by; to pass on, to come on; also, to revive or flourish as a plant; and then, to change. It may be rendered here, "pass away;" and the idea then would be that they are like grass in the fields, or like flowers, which soon "change" by passing away. There is nothing more permanent in man than there is in the grass or in the flowers of the field.

Psalms 90:6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. [In the morning it flourisheth] This does not mean that it grows with any special vigor or rapidity in the morning, as if that were illustrative of the rapid growth of the young; but merely that, in fact, in the morning it is green and vigorous, and is cut down in the short course of a day, or before evening. The reference here is to grass as an emblem of man. [And groweth up] The same word in the Hebrew which is used in the close of the previous verse. [In the evening it is cut down, and withereth] In the short period of a day. What was so green and flourishing in the morning, is, at the close of the day, dried up. Life has been arrested, and death, with its consequences, has ensued. So with man. How often is this literally true, that those who are strong, healthy, vigorous, hopeful, in the morning, are at night pale, cold, and speechless in death! How striking is this as an emblem of man in general: so soon cut down; so soon numbered with the dead." (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)


Psalm 39:5-7 "Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee."

Read Also: Isaiah 51:12; Matthew 6:30; James 4:14-15; Isaiah 29:7-8; Psalm 103:15-16;James 1:10-11.

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1. Who is it that determines the day of the death of man?

2. Why do we spend so much time trying to prolong our lives?

3. What is the main idea that our life is swept away as with a flood?

4. What does the figure of sleep say about our dying?

5. How is the grass from morning to whithering a picture of our life?

6. Why does man especially wicked man defer from thinking about life as being brief?


This passage does picture the frailty and brevity of the life of man. The picture in these words is quite clear, our life is soon swept away as one is swept away by a flood or gush of water, or it is like sleep which is soon passed. One falls asleep and wakes in the morning and it seems as though one has just gone to bed. We understand these figures and we need to confess that our life is but a very brief time, in particular this is true when compared to eternity, and to the eternal God. We often can live as though this life will go on forever, and make all sorts of plans for this life, but it soon will pass. Now it is true that this life is necessary and important for us as God's children, for as we pass through this life we are prepared for everlasting glory, but then our seeking in this life should not be for a long life filled with the things of this earthly dwelling place which is so very temporal, but ought to be a life spent seeking the kingdom of God and its righteousness. Our goal in this life is the life that is eternal, not the temporal life of this worldly path.

Man spends a fortune to try to prolong this life; he spends a fortune and much time and effort attempting to continue to be youthful and strong. The worldly man makes the cosmetic industry one of the largest industries in this life. The health food industry rakes in billions from man as he attempts to overcome the inevitable coming of age and death. But really it is all to no avail, and a huge waste of money and time, and is the fruit of the vanity of man and this life.

Our life is like grass which changes or flourishes in the morning only to be cut down in the evening and it withereth. This is even true of what we witness in this life, where a man that runs several miles each day and is lean and a picture of health, goes out for his daily run, returns home takes a shower and on the way to work dies of a heart attack. So swiftly can our lives change, and so swiftly can what we perceive to be strength be taken from us.

Then we would be foolish to spend our life striving for earthly honor and glory, striving for earthly strength and even health. Rather, the goal of all things we undertake here in this life is to prepare for the heavenly life as God's children. We need by God's grace, by means of His Word and by the power of His Spirit, to strive for the honor and glory of our God, we need to strive for spiritual strength and spiritual health. Therefore we need a life of prayer and searching of God's word, we need to be refreshed often under the preaching of the Word, we need our Lord Jesus Christ to lead and guide us down the pathway of this life. Then when we grow old, or seriously sick, and face death we may do so with joy in our hearts.

The wicked will not even admit that they must die, or they try to put the idea that they shall die out of mind as they live here. They rather will strive to fill their lives with all they can of this life. They

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spend their millions trying to have an honorable place here. They teach their children that the main thing they must do by going to school is to prepare themselves to make the most money. They, themselves go out and buy daily lottery tickets and fill the casinos in order to attempt to obtain a means to put off the things that remind them that this life can give them nothing other than to lead them to the grave. All of these vain attempts to refrain from the reality of the brevity of life, we also can be guilty of doing. But Why?

Conclusion: Matthew 6:28-7:1 "And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

Day Six

Our Days Passed Away in God's Wrath

Psalm 90:7-8

'Making no secret that this fate is a penalty inflicted for sin, he adds at once, “For we consume away in Thy displeasure, and are troubled at Thy wrathful indignation” (ver. 7): we consume away in our weakness, and are troubled from the fear of death; for we are become weak, and yet fearful to end that weakness. “Another,” saith He, “shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not:” although not to be punished, but to be crowned, by martyrdom; and the soul of our Lord, transforming us into Himself, was sorrowful even unto death" Commentary by Augustine

"Thou hast set our iniquities before thee. To show that by this complaint he is far from intending to murmur against God, he asserts that the Divine anger, however terrible it had been, was just, inasmuch as the people had provoked it by their iniquities; for those who, when stricken by the Divine hand, are not brought to genuine humiliation, harden themselves more and more. The true way to profit, and also to subdue our pride, is to feel that He is a righteous judge. Accordingly Moses, after having briefly taught that men by nature vanish away like smoke, gathers from thence that it is not to be wondered at if God exterminates and consumes those whom he pursues with his wrath. The manner of the expression by which God is described as showing the tokens of his anger is to be observed — he sets the iniquities of men before his eyes. Hence it follows, that whatever intermission of punishment we experience ought in justice to be ascribed to the forbearance of. God, who buries our sins that he may spare us." Commentary by Calvin

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Isaiah 64:5-9 "Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities. But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people."

Read Also: Psalm 39:10-11; Jeremiah 23:24; Romans 2:16; Hebrews 4:12-13; Psalm 80:15-16.


1. Who is included in the term "we"?

2. In what sense is our life consumed by God's anger, and troubled by His wrath?

3. Are all our sins open to God's judgment?

4. In what sense can we hide our sin?

5. What is the idea of "the light of thy countenance"?

6. What is the fruit of our knowing and confessing this truth?


There are a few things that we want to emphasize with regard to this passage. In the first place, we understand that we are born in sin and are by nature totally depraved. Thus we properly are the objects of God's anger by nature, and the judgment that is against us causes that we are under the curse with Adam and labor in this life by the sweat of our brows, and each day death takes hold of our lives.

Secondly, we know that even as we are quickened by the Spirit of Christ, that the best of our works are polluted with sin. Again the judgment of God against our sins is a testimony that we are worthy of death and judgment.

Thirdly, we know that before the omniscient God all our sins are known to Him. We cannot hide from our nature or from our sin, or cannot hide our sin from Him. Thus again we come under His judgment as sinners.

This is our life, and this by grace we shall confess. We shall confess our sins, that they condemn us and make us worthy only of death. How humbling, our life is but a breath of air, and it is filled with sin which condemns us. This testimony we live with, do we not? Which of us can say anything less than this?

Conclusion: There is left to us nothing in which to boast. We can find nothing in ourselves to give us hope in this life. We of needs be emptied by this testimony of any pride. There is no room for it. What does Paul say, "Rom 7:24-8:1 "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this

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death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."

Day Seven

Spending our Years as a Tale Told

Psalm 90: 9-10

"This might be viewed as a general confirmation of the preceding sentence, That the whole course of man’s life is suddenly brought to an end, as soon as God shows himself displeased. But in my opinion Moses rather amplifies what he has said above concerning the rigour of God’s wrath, and his strict examination of every case in which he punishes sin. He asserts that this terror which God brought upon his people was not only for a short time, but that it was extended without intermission even to death." Commentary by Calvin "O yes from the cradle to the grave we fly away! And the tempo is fast. Miserably fast. I mean that the whole journey, the fast journey, is a journey of great misery, aa misery that mushrooms as we approach the final gust that brings us to our long home. It takes wisdom to see this and to agree with this. The fool walks amid the old and aged and does not apply his heart unto wisdom. He does not number his days! Tat is, he does not see his days in the proper perspective of God and His wrath. ... Everyone who has this Jesus in his heart is at heart young. His youth is renewed. Here on earth he begins to live the eternal Sabbath. And all for Jesus' sake! O Taste and See, by Rev. G Vos

Sripture Reading for this Lesson:

Job 14:10-14 "But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up: So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come."

Read Also: Ecclesiastes 6:12; Psalm 39:5; Genesis 47:9; Ecclesiastes 12: 2ff.


1. The Psalmist emphasizes that our days are soon passed away, does this seem to be true to you? Explain

2. Again we see that our life is passed in wrath, why is this true?

3. What does the figure, "we spend our years as a tale that is told," mean?

4. Even if we live 70 or 80 years why is their strength labor and sorrow?

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5. What does the phrase, "we fly away," mean?

6. Where do we fly away to?


We must with Moses acknowledge that our life is soon spent. O! It may not seem this way when we are young, but when I look back to my youth some fifty - five years ago it seems as though it was yesterday that I had my own car and worked out in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The time between then and now is gone and most of the things that were important to me then are not even remembered. Or perhaps you have in the past received awards for this or that, but now no one remembers anything about them. These things are long past and they have passed quickly. Now I am at the end of this life, having lived 70 + years and the remainder of this life is almost over. Through these years do we not also have to confess that they are passed away in wrath. Is there not a testimony that our sin bears against us daily. Nothing we have accomplished or have done is without sin and our sin demands punishment. And as mentioned before in connection with the last meditation we are by nature totally depraved, born in sin and trespass. Indeed this life comes to the grave quickly. Our life is like a tale told. The tale is told and then it is over, and for the large part forgotten.

The days of our years may be seventy or if by reason of strength eighty, and it is done. With respect to the age of this world it is but a little, tiny time. And even in the strength of those years we must say it was years of labor and sorrow. You and I both know this, we have indeed labored by the sweat of our brows, and the trials have followed us all the days of our life. Not the least is the sorrow of the struggle with our old man and the many sins that have plagued us. Would we trust in our strength it is soon cut off, would we trust in our ability to earn or accumulate money, it is soon gone. What honor in this life can overcome the grave? What can we do to prevent death? There is nothing. We die, some in the womb, some in the strength of youth, some when they have young families, some may live to the age of the strong, but even then we must say this life is soon cut off, and we fly away.

For the wicked this is a terrible thing to consider, for death bears witness of an everlasting wrath that God has against the sinner. Death speaks of judgment!

For us by nature it would be the same, but when we fly away, when we leave this earthly life, we fly away to God, as Rev. Vos points out. We do so because Christ was sent of God to come into our flesh, humbling Himself unto the death of the cross. This Psalm and its testimony in our verses surely are a picture of Christ's life. His days passed away in God's wrath, and those days were soon cut off. For He stood in our stead, and bore our wrath, and suffered all of His life, that when we fly away, it is to God, covered by our Lord's righteousness.

Conclusion: How impossible to face this life apart from Christ. He alone brings comfort to a life that swiftly passes away, and gives us hope to face that day with peace in our hearts.

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Day Eight

The Power of God's Anger

Psalm 90: 11

"But Moses, I think, has here a different meaning, which is, that it is a holy awe of God, and that alone, which makes us truly and deeply feel his anger. We see that the reprobate, although they are severely punished, only chafe upon the bit, or kick against God, or become exasperated, or are stupified, as if they were hardened against all calamities; so far are they from being subdued. And though they are full of trouble, and cry aloud, yet the Divine anger does not so penetrate their hearts as to abate their pride and fierceness. The minds of the godly alone are wounded with the wrath of God; nor do they wait for his thunderbolts, to which the reprobate hold out their hard and iron necks, but they tremble the very moment when God moves only his little finger. This I consider to be the true meaning of the prophet. He had said that the human mind could not sufficiently comprehend the dreadfulness of the Divine wrath. And we see how, although God shakes heaven and earth, many notwithstanding, like the giants of old, treat this with derision, and are actuated by such brutish arrogance, that they despise him when he brandishes his bolts. But as the Psalmist is treating of a doctrine which properly belongs to true believers, he affirms that they have a strongly sensitive feeling of the wrath of God which makes them quietly submit themselves to his authority. Although to the wicked their own conscience is a tormentor which does not suffer them to enjoy repose, yet so far is this secret dread from teaching them to humble themselves, that it excites them to clamor against God with increasing frowardness. In short, the faithful alone are sensible of God’s wrath; and being subdued by it, they acknowledge that they are nothing, and with true humility devote themselves wholly to Him." Commentary by Calvin


Nahum 1:6-7 "Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."

Read Also: Isaiah 33:14; Luke 12:5; II Corinthians 5:11; Revelation 6:17; Hebrews 10:13.


1. Can you list some of the ways that all men are able to witness the power of God's anger?

2. What is the wicked's response when seeing this power?

3. What is the response of God's children when seeing this power of His anger?

4. How does this relate to the end of time, and the signs of the coming of Christ?

5. When we reverence God, do we also see more clearly His wrath? discuss

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The question asked in this passage is really one that we cannot answer from the point of view that the power of God's anger far surpasses any knowledge that man can have of it. This is true because God far surpasses our human understanding. So first of all the Psalmist emphasizes the greatness of the power of God's wrath, and implies that none can stand before it.

However, this does not mean that man cannot see the power of God's wrath. We have testimonies of it on every side. Certainly God's word is filled with the testimony of the fierceness of His wrath against the sinner, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God," says the holy writer in Hebrews 10. But also in creation there is repeated testimony of the power of His anger. It was seen in the flood, it was seen in the crushing of the armies of Pharaoh in the Red Sea and Jesus has told us it shall certainly be seen as the signs of His coming are revealed unto man.

But the wicked deny His power and His anger, they attribute the great revelations of it in the earthquake, and in the wind storm, etc. as so many happenings by chance, but will not see the hand of God's wrath in these events. However, when by the grace of God we stand before God in reverence and godly fear then we see His wrath and its power and we flee to the cross, our only defense.

Conclusion: In fear of God may we see His wrath and repent and turn unto our Lord, Who alone can deliver us. Then we will also be ready to be taught to number our days as we have it in the next verse.

Day Nine

Taught to Number Our Days

Psalm 90: 12

"Behold Israel, the church. Evaluate their days. Count, number them. In a certain sense they were worse than the world. Why? Because the world is as dumb as the beasts that perish, but the church received light, heavenly light. They had light of heaven, God in Christ, and the grace of God.

Look at yourselves. New Year's eve is the time to take stock. What have you done? Number your days, will you?

Is there anyone among you who can stand when God examines you? What have you done with the 365 days of the past year? And the nights?

“If Thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities. O Lord, who shall stand?” (Psalm 130:3). ...And what is wisdom? Paul will tell you. He says: “Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of

God” (I Cor. 1:24).Wisdom of God is the best way and the best means to attain the highest glory of God.Now watch Jesus, the lowly Jesus of Nazareth, and you will see the way of God's wisdom. You

will see loving obedience to God, utmost humiliation.Therefore, when you number your days aright, you will receive a heart of wisdom. That means

that Jesus will dwell in your heart. Then all is well.” O Taste and See by Rev. G. Vos


Ephesians 5:16-18 “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise,

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but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”

Read Also: Psalm 39:4; Deuteronomy 32:29; Proverbs 8:33-35; Colossians 4:5.


1. How must we go about numbering our days?

2. What does it then mean to number our days?

3. Where do we get the wisdom to rightly number our days?

4. How do we apply our hearts to wisdom?

5. What is the fruit of so numbering our days in wisdom?


After having reflected upon the life of God's children in the midst of this world and acknowledging that it is a life that is brief and spent in sorrow, Moses lifts a prayer to Jehovah that He may teach us to number our days. This is important for us as we live out our lives in the midst of this world. This does not mean that we just account what each day's events brought forth, nor does it mean we look to all that we have accomplished in each day, but it is necessary that we measure each day in our lives as to how our activities have measured up to the calling that we have in this life.

And we may not do this in any superficial way, but must measure what we have done from the viewpoint of our heart. Our heart is the source of all of our life's activity, we must understand what was our motive for all we have done, and see our works as they truly stand before the living God of all judgment. Are we and have we been wise in all our doings? O God teach us to number aright our days.

When we do this and would truly be wise, and have our hearts given to wisdom, this means that we would be led by Christ in all that we do. That we walk in the love of God in all things, and that we trust in our Lord alone for salvation. For who indeed can stand before God's judgment, if He were to count our sins against us, who could stand. As we count our days therefore, it is necessary that we see our sins, and our shortcomings, to acknowledge we cannot stand a moment before our God apart from Christ. When we count our days we will then give to God all praise and honor for His work of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When we count our days and apply our hearts unto wisdom, we shall look each day to Christ for all blessing, and strive ever to walk according to His word. And we then rest alone in God's grace to us in His Son, and by the power of His Spirit seek our heavenly home.

Conclusion: May we each day God gives us to live, look alone to Him for grace to stand and to His Son for strength to battle the battle of faith.

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Day Ten

Satisfy Us With Thy Mercy

Psalm 90: 13 – 14

“The word µjn, nacham, which we have translated be pacified, signifies to repent, and may therefore not improperly be explained thus: Let it repent thee concerning thy servants. According to the not unfrequent and well known phraseology of Scripture, God is said to repent, when putting away men’s sorrow, and affording new ground of gladness, he appears as it were to be changed. Those, however, seem to come nearer the mind of the Psalmist who translate, Comfort thyself over thy servants; for God, in cherishing us tenderly, takes no less pleasure in us than does a father in his own children.” Commentary by Calvin

Scripture Reading for this Lesson:Psalm 103:3-5 “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy

life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.”

Read Also: Psalm 6:4; Joel 2:13-14; Psalm 65:4; Deuteronomy 32:36.


1. Moses prays that God will return, return from what?

2. Why does it seem like it has been a long time since the writer tasted the mercy of God?

3. When Moses prays let it repent thee, does this mean that God can change? explain.

4. The term "satisfy us early," is an expression of what?

5. Why can we only rejoice if God is merciful to us?

6. What is the ultimate expression of God's mercy toward His people?


Moses now prays that God return to Israel, and cries out as others have in the Psalms, O Jehovah, how long? He experienced with Israel several times, periods when it seemed as though God was not near to them as they passed very troubleous times. We also have this in periods where we have not walked in the strength of faith, and have been chastened of the Lord. It is a prayer that God may again richly favor His people by His presence and blessing.

It is necessary that God repents of His way with His people. This must not be understood as though Moses thought God had been wrong in the way He led His people. Moses knew the deep sins in which Israel had followed, and that it was necessary that they be brought low and humbled to receive the blessings of God. But now Moses calls upon God to deliver them. And thus prays that God repents

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of the ways in which He has led His children. By the term, "repent" the Scripture does not mean that God changes His mind or will, but that we desire to see a turning from the present course to one of favor afresh. If it be Thy will lead us out of darkness and despair, not because of our worthiness, but because of Thy faithfulness. So is the meaning of this prayer.

The ground is none other than God's mercy. His love for us in Christ, so that we are again made anew the objects of His favor and blessing. Cover us with the blood of Thy only Begotten Son, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Give us the grace to see Thy tender love and care in Christ, and for His sake deliver us and our children. When we are assured of that mercy we shall be glad in all our days.

Conclusion: Be humbled by this prayer, only Jehovah's faithfulness and mercy can bring us any joy during this earthly pilgrimage. There is none apart from our Lord Jesus Christ. Look to His atoning work for your joy and gladness.

Day Eleven

Made Glad

Psalm 90:15

"With respect to those that make God their chief joy, as their joy may be full (1 John 1:4), so it may be constant, even in this vale of tears; it is their own fault if they are not glad all their days, for his mercy will furnish them with joy in tribulation and nothing can separate them from it. That it would be a sufficient balance to their former griefs: "Make us glad according to the days wherein thou has afflicted us; let the days of our joy in thy favour be as many as the days of our pain for thy displeasure have been and as pleasant as those have been gloomy. Lord, thou usest to set the one over-against the other (Eccl 7:14); do so in our case. Let it suffice that we have drunk so long of the cup of trembling; now put into our hands the cup of salvation." God's people reckon the returns of God's lovingkindness a sufficient recompense for all their troubles."(from Matthew Henry's Commentary)


Revelation 7:14-17 "And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

Read Also: Isaiah 61:3; Jeremiah 31:12-13; Matthew 5:4; Isaiah 33:2

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1. What does the term "according" say about the relationship between our gladness and affliction?

2. Are you able to look beyond the suffering of the present day to the joys that shall follow? Are there ways that this lifts you up also as you are passing through the trials of the present?

3. What evil had Moses and Israel seen?

4. What evil have we seen?

5. What could make Israel glad and what can make us glad?


Moses now petitions God to make the people of God glad in that which lies ahead. He is concerned for God's church and prays God concerning not only himself but also Israel and in a real sense also us. Israel had been afflicted for over 400 years in Egypt, and for the last forty years in the wilderness. It was necessary that she be purged and that she be chastened. Purged of the wicked seed, and chasten for the elect to turn unto her God alone for salvation. Now Moses resting in the mercies of God and His covenant faithfulness calls upon God to grant us gladness according as we have been afflicted.

The writer understands that the days of trials and sorrow, serve our good and salvation, and as we are driven by the chastening hand of God to turn unto the Lord in repentance, we shall surely enjoy a rich blessing at the feet of the cross, at the mercy seat of God. Further he understands that the sufferings of this present time cannot be compared to the glory that should follow.

We need to remember this in particular at this time when the signs of the coming of Christ become ever more intense. We need to remember this when our men lose their jobs, when we lose much of the earthly goods we have accumulated, when we lose our schools, or even our place of worship and we flee to the hills. We need to remember this whole Psalm and also pray upon the basis of God's mercy and His faithfulness that we shall be made glad according to the days wherein God has afflicted us and the years wherein we have see evil. It is a prayer for the land of Canaan and the rich blessings there for Israel, and it is a prayer for us to enter into the antitype, heaven itself, there to dwell with our Head in the gladness of sinless fellowship with the covenant God.

Conclusion: How blessed is it to draw near to God, and to know that for Christ's sake we may pray for a gladness that shall exceed all suffering in the midst of this life, and it shall be fulfilled for His sake.

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Day Twelve

Jehovah's Work Appearing Unto Us

Psalm 90:16

"Moses weeps, and with tear-stained face he turns to God and begs Him,'Return. O Lord, how long? and let it repent Thee concerning Thy servants. Instead of the consuming of our days in labor and sorrow, let us taste mercy, rejoicing, and gladness.'

But how?By letting the Lord's work appear unto God's servants, and His beauty and glory unto their

children.Yes, if we see the work of the Lord we certainly will be glad. If we see the glory and beauty of the

Lord we will sing in prison's and at death's door." O Taste and See by Rev, Vos


Joshua 4:22-24 "Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever."

Read Also: Judges 2:7; I Corinthians 15:58; Psalm 44:1; John 11:40; II Corinthians 4:6-7


1. What do you believe the work of God is, which is referenced?

2. What does it mean that it appears to us?

3. Why do we need to pray that the glory of God's works appear unto our children?

4. What is our obligation with respect to our children in this regard?

5. In particular what is the glory of God's work that we desire to see (know)?


The writer would now turn attention to the work of God, it is important for the church to see the wondrous work of God in all that takes place in the life of man. It is necessary for our comfort and joy as God's people to see His work and His glory in the paths we are led. And what is that work, Rev. Vos points out that it is His work of election and reprobation, and this brings our mind and hearts to appreciate the emphasis of the preaching in our past days within the Protestant Reformed Churches, and it also leads us to the question is this still the emphasis we hear today? Should we still see this basic doctrine as the heart of the gospel as old dominee Hoeksema used to teach?

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I think we still do this at least to an extent, perhaps we should hear these words more often. But it is true that God's work is the working out of our salvation according to His eternal counsel of election and its corresponding reprobation. All the things that came upon Israel had a two-fold purpose. It served the condemnation of the wicked, whether that be the Egyptians or the carnal seed of Israel. Secondly, it served the trial of the elect and their consequent humbling so that they could only look to God for salvation.

Further, the only distinction between the two is God's work of saving His people in mercy, whereby for Christ's sake and on the basis of His atoning work we are delivered. Even the faith of God's children that enabled them to pass through this life is the gift of God, not of works lest we should boast, but we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which He has foreordained that we should walk therein.

Let us remember this when we pass through this life of sorrows and tears, God is working out our salvation and the condemnation of the wicked for His glory. And above all may we remember this work of God as seen in the lifting up of Jesus on the cross, that the world of unbelief would be left without excuse, and Jesus entering the depths of hell itself, as the Man of Sorrows to take away our grief and to fill us with gladness unto the glory of Jehovah in His faithfulness.

Conclusion: May we be faithful in instructing our covenant seed in this blessed two-fold work of God, that they may see the glory of God in the way He leads us from the cradle to the grave.

Day Thirteen

The Work of Our Hands Establish Thou

Psalm 90: 17

"There is a classic text which we all should learn by heart. It should be written with the fiery letters in our heart and in the hearts of our children. It is this: 'Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.' (Phil 2:12-13).

I would plead with you to believe me: except the Lord work in you or your children, you will not do on stitch of work in the great work of God! Moses found out that all his work did not help, except the living God establish it. That is why he wept Psalm 90. ...

except the Lord Jehovah bless it (our work) establish it, crown it with the Spirit of grace of Jesus Christ, our New Testament Moses. If He does and when He does, you see the work of God which He does for Israel. Then you see the cross of Jesus, the central work of all God's works. Then you see salvation, eternal life, the new earth and heaven." O Taste and See by Rev. G. Vos.


"Isaiah:12-15 "LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name. They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish. Thou hast

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increased the nation, O LORD, thou hast increased the nation: thou art glorified: thou hadst removed it far unto all the ends of the earth."

Read Also: Psalm 27:4; II Corinthians 3:18; I John 3:2; Psalm 68:28; I Corinthians 3:7; II Thessalonians 2:16-17.


1. What is another word for beauty?

2. What do you consider is the fruit in our lives when the beauty of Jehovah is upon us?

3. In order that the beauty of the Lord be upon us, Moses says establish thou the work of our hands, how does this enable us to manifest the beauty of Jehovah?

4. Why is it repeated in our text, that is, that God establishes our work?


Moses would have Israel with himself, and would have the future generations of the church elect, to have the beauty of Jehovah. The beauty of Jehovah is His pleasantness, and then His grace. He would that God would grant us grace to be beautiful as He is beautiful. He would that we would live with the Word of God in our hearts directing us in all our activities. That His glory might be seen in our lives, His love in our love of brother and neighbor, He would have us be the sons of God.

This however, is impossible if we must bring forth the works to do this. Even the best of our works as children of God are polluted with sin. Only if Jehovah establishes the work of our hands, the work we bring forth in this life, only then shall the beauty of God be seen in us. It is His work in us that will glorify Him, in all we do aright. So indeed it is a prayer that we be covered by the righteousness of Christ, and that His Spirit so dwell in us that we may serve and glorify Him. Rightly we must know that we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus, and rightly understand that it is God which worketh in us, both the will and the doing of all good works. It is only in our Head Jesus Christ that worked even to the death of the cross, that enables us by His Spirit and Word to begin to serve God to glorify Him.

Conclusion: God hears this prayer, O not because we are worthy but for His glory's sake, and makes us beautiful in the blood of Christ, and shall cloth us in glory with the cloak of His righteousness. May He grant us grace now to serve Him faithfully trusting in His work and praising Him now and forever.

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