THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
This psalm is known as ‘The Prayer of Moses, the servant of God, through whom the Lord gave the law to His people, delivered them from bondage, and guided them through the wilderness for forty years. Thus, Moses serves as a minister of the Old Testament as well as a prophet of the New Testament. According to the Apostle, all of these events occurred as examples for us, written for our instruction, for whom the ends of the world have come. Therefore, following this reverence due to Moses, this psalm merits our examination, as it is rooted in his prayer.
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“O Lord,” he declares, “thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation.” This means either across every generation or within two generations: the old and the new, as he served as the servant of the Covenant belonging to the old generation and the Prophet of the Covenant pertaining to the new. Jesus, who is the Surety of this covenant and the Bridegroom in the covenant He established in that generation, stated: “If ye had believed Moses, ye would have believed me, for he wrote of me.” It should not be assumed that Moses authored this psalm entirely, as it lacks distinctive phrases recognizable from his own songs; rather, his name is invoked to guide the reader’s attention.
He continues, “Thou hast been our refuge,” expressing how He became our refuge—indicating a refuge that He was not prior to our turning to Him. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever the earth and the world were formed, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.” God exists eternally and before all creation, having been our refuge since our return to Him. The phrase “before the mountains” bears particular significance; mountains symbolize the height of creation, yet God existed before all creation—heaven, earth, and all creatures, both corporeal and spiritual. This reference and its distinction may signify the superiority of angels to man, as mountains reflect their elevation while the earth denotes human humility.
Though creation is often described as fashioned or created, the angels specifically were created, for Scripture records: “He spoke and they were created; He commanded and they stood fast.” The earth was formed so that man could be brought forth in flesh. “God created man from the dust of the ground.” Thus, prior to the creation of the earth, the more refined aspects of creation existed so that worshipers might be found on earth. Yet, all these creations began within time, whereas God is from everlasting. His essence does not stem from a specific age nor does it culminate at a temporal conclusion, for He is eternal.
Often, an ambiguous term in Greek may mislead Latin translators into equating age with eternity. The psalmist does not state, “Thou hast been from everlasting, and ever shalt be,” but rather uses the verb in the present tense, suggesting that God’s essence is profoundly unchangeable. His essence is “I AM,” as declared: “I AM hath sent me unto you.” His years shall not end; He is unchanging through eternity, serving as our refuge against the transitory nature of time.
As our mortal lives face immense trials, we may fear being led from this refuge, prompting us to consider what the prayer of the servant of God seeks. “Turn not man to humility,” meaning do not lead humanity away from heavenly desires towards the allure of earthly ones. This reflects the command given by God in the prayer, “Lead us not into temptation.” He says, “And again you say, ‘Come back, you children of men.’” This shows a request for what You commanded, emphasizing that without Your assistance, we cannot overcome life’s temptations—turn not man to humility, but give what Thou hast commanded, heeding the prayer from one who is at least able to pray, and aiding the faith of any willing soul.
“For a thousand years in Thy sight are as yesterday, when it is past.” Therefore, we should look to Thy steadfast refuge, where Thou art unshaken, as every temporal desire is fleeting; for what appears lengthy to us is simply as a day gone. So, the Apostle desires what lies ahead, yearning for eternal treasures while disregarding the past—specifically, temporal pursuits. Yet, to presume that God counts a thousand years as one day would misapprehend His intended meaning.
The Holy Spirit appears to articulate some divine law, establishing the limits of human frailty and the tribulations of mortal life: “Their years are vanity; in the morning they flourish like grass.” Thus, the ultimate fate of those of the Old Covenant, who petitioned the Lord for great goods, is revealed in this profound Providence. “Their years shall be regarded as naught.” It is a reminder that life, though seemingly lengthy, soon vanishes—like morning grass, which withers in the evening.
This imagery reflects a destiny haunted by sin, as it declares, “For we are consumed by Thy anger and troubled by Thy wrath.” Our frailty leads us to fear impending death; another will gird us and lead us where we do not wish—this is not for punishment but for martyrdom. The Lord’s sacrifice transforms us, causing us to grieve deeply: for His departure is synonymous with death.
“Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee,” meaning Thy wrath is not hidden from us, but plainly seen in Thy countenance. “For all our days are passed away in Thy wrath.” These statements affirm the reality that our acceptance of death is a consequence of sin. Temporal days are ephemeral, numbered like fleeting thoughts; “Our years are spent like a spider’s web.” The span of mortal years may reach sixty, but in strength, some endure to eighty, only to find that the remainder is labor and sorrow. Thus highlights the brevity of life marked by trials; for even those who live to seventy may feel weak, while those beyond may bear further burdens.
Equally, the duration of human life does not invoke God’s greater wrath, for sin entered through only Adam. The years of those before us do not diminish the severity of divine anger. The figures seventy and eighty years have the sacred status of one hundred and fifty, a number drawn from Psalms, symbolizing perfection. This reflects the union of the Old and New Testament—fifteen, encapsulating both the Sabbath and the Resurrection, hence the fifteen steps of ascent in the Temple and their songs.
“Let our years slip by like a spider’s web.” Our work in perishable matters yields nothing lasting. The days and years which truly matter are beyond the temporal, drawing us to the eternal hope of resurrection. This speaks of the mercy bestowed upon us, for “Thy mercy satisfies us in the morning,” lighting the path through our labors as we await the dawn of promise. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God as the hungry souls find satisfaction only in His glory.
We experience rejoicing in all our days, eternally present together, unswayed by temporal transitions, as one day—the everlasting—is unceasing. “What man is there that desires to see good days?” These eternal days are the ones which truly exist, counted beyond the fleeting, contrasting the temporary fabric of life we often experience. Let our souls long for these eternal joys, that we may say, “We are sated,” finding ultimate comfort after the times of our trials.
Now, as we traverse this present evil age, let us pray, “Look upon Thy servants and upon Thy works,” for we are Thy works, obedient to Thy commandments. As new creations in Christ Jesus, let us walk according to good works prepared for us. “And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us,” guiding our deeds with purpose, shunning earthly gain in favor of righteousness, focusing on that single aim of charity through faith.
Thus, within this psalm lies the profound connection between the old and new life, highlighting the contrast of temporal worthlessness against the fullness of true joy awaiting us. The name of Moses, the servant of God, serves as a title for this Psalm, imploring the earnest reader to contemplate the hidden treasures within, contrasting the rewards of the earthly with the heavenly assurance revealed in Christ. When one turns to Christ, the veil shall be lifted, unveiling the wondrous laws of God as one seeks understanding in His divine grace.