Psalm 90 (89):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The psalm opens with, "O Lord, thou hast been our refuge from one generation to another." This signifies that He has been a sanctuary in every generation, both old and new, as Moses was the servant of the Old Covenant and also a prophet ushering in the New Covenant. Jesus, the guarantor of this covenant, indicated that Moses wrote of Him, saying, "If ye had believed Moses, ye would have believed me." It is unlikely that this psalm was solely authored by Moses, as it lacks the distinctive phrases found in his other songs; rather, it employs his name to draw attention to a deeper truth for the reader or listener.

The psalm then communicates how God became our refuge, stating that He was not a refuge before, though He existed prior to it: "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." God, who is eternal, has been a refuge since we turned toward Him. The phrase "before the mountains" carries significance; mountains symbolize the heights of the earth and the angelic realm, while the earth signifies humanity's humility. Thus, even though creation is articulated as being created or fashioned, it is the angels that were made in a specific act of creation. Humanity was formed from the earth, echoing the scriptures: "God created man out of the dust of the ground." Even before the creation of the earth, He desired worshippers among its inhabitants.

The psalmist speaks of the fleeting nature of our days, asserting, "For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past." This observation encourages us to seek refuge where God remains unchanged amidst our transient experiences. Regardless of how we cling to the temporality of life, a thousand years seen by God are but as one day gone. Therefore, we are exhorted to reach for eternal aspirations and let go of what lies behind. The psalm is not suggesting that God measures time as we do, but rather deriding the notion of lengthy durations in light of eternal truth.

Next, reflecting on the constraints of mortal existence, the psalmist conveys that our lives are limited, as he states, "Their years are as a shadow," expressing that our time is of little value in the grand scheme, subjecting us to weakness and fearing death. Yet, the prophet raises the possibility of redemption with the understanding that God chastises out of love, stating, "Thou hast set our iniquities before thee." Our days fade away, encapsulating the notion that submission to mortality stems from sin.

The psalmist poignantly notes that our years are consumed in labor and sorrow, remarking on how fleeting life can seem like the weavings of a spider. Mankind’s lifespan is often deemed short, with seventy years seen as a mark of old age. The psalm reflects on this brevity, confirming that the significance we attach to earthly existence is inconsequential compared to divine eternity.

The prayer shifts, emphasizing God's mercy upon His servants and the grace required to guide their paths. "Look upon Thy servants and upon Thy works," recognizing ourselves as God's creation sustained by His will. The psalm implores that the brightness of God’s essence may shine upon us, requesting that our endeavors be rooted not in the anticipation of earthly compensation but in genuine devotion to His purpose.

Amidst the trials faced, the psalmist urges recognition of the glorious promise of future sustenance through God’s mercy, suggesting that their joy surpasses earthly understanding. The concluding thoughts focus on the hope that remains through ongoing trials: that the servants of God, knowing the blessings yearned for, shall ultimately find satisfaction when Christ is revealed in fullness.

Thus, the essence of the entire psalm conveys the essence of longing for eternal life, reflecting a journey filled with hope despite life’s sufferings, pointing toward the culmination of redemption in Christ, and urging believers to remain steadfast amidst trials, ever seeking deliverance and ultimately triumph in the everlasting presence of God.

Moses likely also contemplates the wrongdoings of Adam's descendants, whose increasing sins further accelerated the decline of human lifespan. Prior to the flood, individuals lived nearly nine centuries; post-flood lifespans dwindled to two or three centuries, which then reduced to around a hundred and twenty in Moses' time, and eventually dropped to eighty during David's era. Accordingly, Moses succinctly illustrates that humanity vanishes like smoke, and it's not surprising that God, in His displeasure with sin, chooses to end the lives of those who incur His judgment.

In the poignant phrases, “Thou hast laid our iniquities before Thee,” and “our secret things before the light of Thy countenance,” we observe a striking contrast between concealed sins and the illuminating presence of God. This contrast signifies that when God conceals human sins from His sight, individuals cloak themselves in darkness, falling prey to numerous illusions. However, when God reveals these hidden transgressions, which people attempt to disguise under hypocrisy, they are confronted with their wrongdoings. Faced with this revelation, they are moved to profound humility and fear.