Psalm 90 is a song of Moses. Moses lived 40 years in the palace of the Pharaoh of Egypt, 40 years in the wilderness running from his consequences and his last 40 years leading the children of God out of slavery and toward the Promised Land. His perspective as the prophet of God who gave us the 5 books of the Torah, was to see the epic story of God’s plan weaving through the generations from Adam to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph to his time.
There are fascinating facts in the linked video below about the oral family histories and how they made it intact from the beginning of the world to Moses. Noah’s son Shem was born 100 years before the flood. He lived to be 600 years old and would have known and talked to his descendants – Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael.
Shem’s early life before the flood would have included possible conversations with his great-great grandfather Methuselah. Methuselah was old enough to know Adam and Eve. There was probably a reason that the Lord gave early men great age. (Also, for historical reference, the Sumerians King’s list also discusses the ancient kings and their advanced age.) Not only were people genetically perfect when Adam was created, but God designed them for age. They were meant to dwell on the earth with God in relationship with him. They also would have perspective of the passing of generations and be able to pass down the oral histories of the beginning of the ages. https://www.tiktok.com/@lostworldmuseum/video/7174230259053776171
Moses, a direct descendant of Shem, would have received these oral histories and also received from the Holy Spirit the leading as he penned the stories into scripture.
Moses was a man who saw great miracles – greater than almost any other people, except those alive during the time of Christ. But, the plagues of Egypt to the crossing of the Red Sea and the manna in the desert would have solidified in his heart the power and desire of God to keep his promises to Abraham’s descendants. He sees the Lord as the dwelling place for all generations.
Moses also talks about the brevity and difficulty of life, yet the fact that we are held in the arms of the Lord through it all.
Today, pray Psalm 90 over your children and grandchildren.
Psalm 90
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.
You turn people back to dust,
saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”
A thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.
Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—
they are like the new grass of the morning:
In the morning it springs up new,
but by evening it is dry and withered.
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.
Relent, Lord! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.
Revealed Ministries 