THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
This psalm carries the title: "The Prayer of Moses, the servant of God," through whom God imparted the law to His people, liberated them from oppression, and guided them through the wilderness for forty years. Moses served as a minister of the Old Covenant and was a prophet heralding the New Covenant. The Apostle affirms that all these events are examples and serve as lessons for us, as we live at the end of the age (1 Corinthians 10:11). Therefore, aligned with the reverence owed to Moses, we must analyze this psalm, as it takes its name from his prayer.
Read more (865 words)
The psalm opens with a declaration, "O Lord," he states, "Thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation" (Psalm 89:1). This suggests either throughout all generations or specifically between the old and new, given that, as noted, Moses was the Servant of the Covenant tied to the old and the Prophet of the Covenant tied to the new. Jesus, the Surety of that covenant and the Bridegroom of that generation, proclaims, "If ye had believed Moses, ye would have believed me, for he wrote of me" (John 5:46). It is important to understand that although this psalm bears Moses's name, it does not represent his distinct expressions as found in his songs; rather, it invokes the name of the great servant of God to draw attention to its deeper significance.
He continues, explaining how God became our refuge at a certain point, implying that while He existed eternally, He did not serve as our refuge prior to our turning to Him. This is articulated in Psalm 89:2: "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God." Thus, the eternal One, who existed before creation, has become our refuge since we turned toward Him. The phrase "before the mountains" carries significant weight, as mountains represent the highest peaks of creation and, by acknowledging God's existence before the formation of the world, it emphasizes His supremacy over both heaven and earth, as well as all living creatures.
It is possible that the entirety of the visible creation is marked by this distinction; while mountains symbolize the exaltation of angels, the earth signifies humanity’s humility. Although it may not be accurate to claim that all creation is either "created" or "fashioned," there is validity in stating that angels were indeed created, as they are categorized among God's heavenly works. The creation of man, however, is expressed in Scripture with the declaration, "God created man out of the dust of the ground" (Genesis 2:7). The highest parts of creation were established prior to earth's formation, so that there might be worshippers on the earth. Thus, the psalmist asserts that even although all things have a beginning, God exists "from everlasting to everlasting."
It is more fitting to describe God as existing "from everlasting to everlasting," for He transcends time and is not bound by any defined beginning or end. Despite scripture's occasional ambiguity leading translators to confuse 'age' with eternity, the psalm wisely opts for the present tense, underscoring the unalterable nature of God's essence. God does not simply exist in the past and the future; He is eternally present. This mirrors the declaration, "I AM that I AM," (Exodus 3:14) emphasizing God's unchanging nature.
Turning to eternity, our refuge, encourages us to flee the transitory nature of time and to remain anchored in everlasting truth. Given that our lives are beset with significant temptations, we must be vigilant to prevent these trials from distancing us from our refuge. The prayer seeks, "Turn not man to humiliation" (Psalm 89:3), imploring God not to turn our hearts away from eternal truths toward the fleeting pleasures of this world. This request aligns with God's directive in the prayer, "Lead us not into temptation" (Matthew 6:13).
Further, he articulates the understanding that a thousand years in God's sight are as yesterday, illustrating the fleeting nature of life (Psalm 89:4). This insight calls us to turn towards God's unchangeable refuge amidst the transitory nature of our existence. The psalm underscores how even the span of a lifetime, no matter how long, is but a fleeting moment before God's eternal gaze.
The poet observes how human years are marked by brevity and transience, highlighted by the comparison to grass that wilts in the morning (Psalm 89:5-6). This illustrates the reality that human life, plagued by the consequence of sin, wears away under divine displeasure. Our existence can feel insubstantial, as "our years are spent in thought like a spider" (Psalm 89:10), noting the ephemeral quality of our days.
The poignant truth that the punishment for sin affects our lifespans demonstrates this frailty. The psalmist's acknowledgment of a thousand years being but a moment emphasizes the brevity of life and the poignant reminder to seek spiritual richness rather than earthly gain. The psalm culminates by highlighting how those who become purified through trials are aligned with God's mercy (Psalm 89:15).
In contemplative reflection, the prayer transitions into an appeal for divine favor: "Look upon Thy servants and upon Thy works" (Psalm 89:16), recognizing that we are created in Christ Jesus for good works ordained by God (Ephesians 2:10). This plea for God's attention implores Him to bless and establish the labors of our hands, protecting them from selfish ambition and instilling them with purpose.
As this psalm reflects the duality of life—the temporal and the eternal, the Old Covenant and the New—it bears the name of Moses to remind the faithful that while the law may emphasize earthly rewards, it also veils profound eternal hopes. Upon turning to Christ, the veil is lifted (2 Corinthians 3:15), enabling clearer vision of God's wonders as we seek divine understanding and fulfillment.