We have looked at the text questions and the context questions of Psalm 90. We now move on to the questions that connect to our lived experiences. These might be called application questions or personal questions. I ask them as a way to help us remember the text, thus aiding our biblical fluency.
8. What have I experienced that connects to this?
As I read Psalm 90, I am drawn to the days of toil and trouble. It just feels like so many days are toil and trouble. Comparison to the Israelite’s plight might make our days feel much easier, but I know many people in the 21st century who feel the weight of their toil and trouble. Life isn’t easy for so, so many people. The toil of work or writing or raising children or the everyday chores of cooking and cleaning and just the general maintenance that life requires feels like toil and trouble. And yet, God’s favor is upon us, even in the toil.
9. What am I feeling?
I know many people who love this psalm and find much comfort in the final verses. Personally as I read this psalm right now, I feel burdened by the many days of toil and trouble ahead. I feel like God’s favor is out of balance with His anger. I feel like rejoicing gets more and more difficult as they days stream by. And so, in that burden, I pray:
Lord, it’s hard to see how my brief span of life has significance to you, or why you would fill these short days with so much toil and trouble. Hear my cry as You have heard the cry of countless others before me. Restore the joy of these days as You restored the fortunes of Your people Israel. Amen.
10. Where have I heard this before?
The opening verses remind me of the opening chapters of Genesis, God’s creative power as well as humanity’s frail mortality in returning to the dust. 2 Peter 3 likewise speaks of a thousand years being like a day and a day like a thousand years before the Lord.
The mixture of joy and pain and hopeful resignation to the Lord’s plans reminds me of the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon speaks much of toil and vanity, but also of enjoyment of God’s gifts and favor.
Culturally, the phrase “toil and trouble” draws me to Shakespeare’s Macbeth and the “Song of the Witches” which begins “Double, double toil and trouble.” Which of course reminds me of the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, where a version of that song is sung by the Hogwarts choir under the direction of Filius Flitwick.
Bonus Question: What Questions Remain?
Some questions were already raised previously. When does Moses write this? How much of God’s gracious activity has he experienced to this point? And how much more is to come?
But I think the lingering question that sticks for me is the unanswerable: why? Why does God afflict us with so much toil and trouble? Why isn’t His favor more obvious and apparent upon His people in the day to day grind of life? Why does it take four centuries for God to act to save His people? Why does God wait?
Certainly, the eternal favor of the Lord is not to be ignored, but the temporal trouble pushes so many away from God’s house and Word and people.
Which raises the question for us: How do we demonstrate faithfulness in this world when we are struggling with the toil and trouble we are experiencing?
What questions remain for you? Put a remaining question in the comments section.
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Andy
Be Curious.
Ask Questions.