"O Lord," he declares, "Thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation" (Psalm 89:1). This implies a refuge in every generation or specifically in the old and the new, as Moses epitomizes the Servant of the Old Covenant and the Prophet of the New. Jesus, the Surety of that covenant and the Bridegroom of that generation, affirms, “If ye had believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me” (John 5:46). It is evident that the entire psalm was not solely authored by Moses, for it does not display his distinct expressions found in other songs; rather, it employs the name of this great servant to allude to something that captures the attention of the reader or listener.
He continues to illustrate how God became our refuge, signifying a shift that was more about the fulfillment of His role rather than His existence prior to becoming our refuge: “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God” (Psalm 89:2). Hence, the eternal God, existing before the world and us, has been our refuge since we turned toward Him. The phrase “before the mountains” carries profound significance; mountains, symbolizing the heights of creation, imply that if God existed prior to formation, then He indeed transcends all creation, not just the earth but heaven and every creature, both physical and spiritual.
Creation itself bears a distinction; mountains may represent angelic heights, while the earth symbolizes human humility. It is correct, then, to say that while angels were created as part of His heavenly works, Scripture reveals that “God created man from the dust of the ground” (Genesis 2:7). This points out that the higher aspects of creation existed before the earth was created, which serves as the foundation for humankind's form. All things were initiated either at a specific point in time or in accordance with time; yet God is from everlasting to everlasting. The assertion that God “is” captures His unchanging essence: He does not merely exist from a point and will not cease, as signified by “I AM that I AM” (Exodus 3:14).
“Thou dost change them, and they change; but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall have no end." We should look toward eternity, which is our refuge, to escape the transience of time and to dwell there permanently. Our earthly existence, fraught with trials, presents a danger of swaying us from this refuge; therefore, let us heed the prayer of the servant of God, which seeks, “Turn not man to humiliation” (Psalm 89:3). This indicates a desire for humanity to remain steadfast in eternal truths while avoiding the allure of temporal desires.
In the petition, "Lead us not into temptation" (Matthew 6:13), he echoes the need for divine guidance. He beseeches, "Come back, O children of men," as if reaffirming the call to seek God's command for our salvation while acknowledging that without divine assistance, we can’t overcome life's trials by sheer effort.
“A thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past” (Psalm 89:4), thus urging us to turn toward His unchanging refuge amidst the ephemeral nature of our existence. Time, whether a thousand years or a brief moment, appears as mere past before God. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this, indicating the importance of focusing on what lies ahead (Philippians 3:13) and aiming for eternal aspirations while relinquishing the past, which signifies the temporal.
The psalmist, or the prophetic voice within, articulates laws established in God’s hidden wisdom, capping the mortal troubles with “Their years are as a vapor; in the morning, let them flourish and grow” (Psalm 89:5). Thus, the fleeting fortune of those inheriting the Old Covenant was understood against the backdrop of divine doctrine. Moses implies that mortal years amount to little; they do not linger but swiftly fade, much like grass withering in heat.
The lament, “For we perish because of Thy displeasure; and we are troubled by Thy wrath” (Psalm 89:7), acknowledges sin as the source of our affliction, revealing our weakness and fear of death. Yet, Jesus forewarns of loss, saying, “Another will gird you, and carry you where thou would not” (John 21:18), signifying that even this loss is possibly transformative, not punitive.
The text recounts, “Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee; our secret sins are in the light of Thy countenance” (Psalm 89:8). While our days fade, we bear the weight of God's anger (Psalm 89:9), revealing that the brevity of life, whether conceived as sixty or eighty years, speaks to our frailty, especially when reflecting on the worthlessness of this existence measured against eternity. “Our days are spent like a spider’s web; they are but labor and sorrow” (Psalm 89:10), leading us to understand that even extended years are filled with trials, reinforcing the finite nature of our earthly journey.
In closing, the psalm proclaims, “Make known Thy hand unto me” (Psalm 89:12), which can refer to Christ—the embodiment of divine action and mercy. This petition implores that Christ be made known distinctly to inspire hope in those who believe, dissuading reliance on fleeting earthly rewards. As the faithful are set apart from the wicked, they are reminded that trials serve as divine education, guiding them toward holiness.
Through both suffering and revelation, God teaches His faithful, arousing them to cast their affections toward eternal hope, acknowledging that human existence inherently leads to labor and struggle, urging longing for the promised future where they will find rest.
“Let the work of our hands be established” (Psalm 89:17), for our deeds—united under God's love—represent the fulfillment of His will. One work directs our efforts: love stemming from a pure heart, leading us towards unity in purpose and faith expressed through love, whereby we find our identity in Him who sent His Son for our salvation.
THEOSIS