Moses’ Prayer
You can listen to Psalm 90 below and read the passage in the New International Version here.
“Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
We are consumed by your anger
and terrified by your indignation.
You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.
Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
If only we knew the power of your anger!
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
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We hope these journal starters spark reflection on the Psalms.
If you want to, you can share some of your thoughts in the comments section below. We would love to hear how God is working in your heart.
Moses wrote in the first six verses of this psalm that the Lord is:
The dwelling place of His people
Creator of the whole world
Everlasting God
Sovereign over death
Bigger than time
Journal Starter for Psalm 90
Take some time to think about these attributes (characteristics) of God. You could even read or listen to these verses again.
Write to God about these attributes. You could praise Him, ask Him questions, or ask Him to show you these parts of Himself. You could write down each attribute and then how you see those attributes in the Bible, in your personal life, and in the world.This psalm discusses God's wrath (his righteous displeasure and anger). In verse 8, we see the reason for God's anger—sin.
What is your understanding of God's wrath?
When we put our faith in Jesus and follow Him, we are no longer under God's wrath (see Romans 5 and Ephesians 2:1-10). If we are saved by Jesus, how can thinking about God's wrath be helpful?
How does understanding God's wrath help you understand God better?Moses prayed, "Teach us to number our days,/ that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
How does thinking about the fact that you are going to die someday make you feel? How does it change the way you think about your life?
Talk to God about how you want to live the rest of your days on earth. Ask Him how He wants you to live the rest of your days.Moses' request that God help he and the people of Israel number their days is the first of many in the last third of this psalm. Even though he knows they deserve God's wrath, Moses believes God is merciful and asks Him to:
Relent and have compassion
Satisfy them in the morning with His unfailing love
Make them glad for as many years as they have suffered
Show his deeds and splendor to them and their children
Show favor on them and bless their work
Why do or don't you feel you can bring your requests to God?
What do you want God to do in the world? In your community? In your family? In you?
