As we work through these questions, the first step is to read the text. So, grab your Bible or check out Psalm 90 here.
The questions we will cover today are as follows with a brief explanation of what we are looking for in each question.
1. Who is the enemy?
What’s the problem or the conflict in the text? Typically sin, death, or the devil are at the heart of the problem.
2. How is this enemy defeated?
Sin is defeated by Christ’s death on the cross for our forgiveness. Death is defeated by Christ resurrection from the grave and His gifting of eternal life to us. Satan is defeated by Christ’s presence in the incarnation, His return, and God’s promised presence with us here and now.
3. Whose point of view am I taking?
Look through the possible characters and see how the story changes if you put yourself in someone else shoes. This is particularly helpful for narratives.
4. Who are You, Lord?
What is God up to in this text? What is the one word or phrase you would use to describe Him.
Feel free to try to answer these on your own before reading what I have to say.
All right, let’s dive into Psalm 90.
1. Who is the enemy?
The enemy of Psalm 90 seems to be death. Human beings are returned to the dust. We fade like grass. We occupy the earth for a mere 70 or 80 years before a God who is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting. Alongside death is the reality that our days on this earth are difficult. They are toil and trouble and affliction. Such toil and trouble and affliction is an extension of death, of life not being the perfect eternal life we were created for.
This psalm also points out our sin as an enemy, which leads to our deaths and God’s wrath upon us.
2. How is this enemy defeated?
The enemy of death is defeated by resurrection from the dead. While our lives on this earth will end and they are filled with toil and trouble in the meantime, we inherit an eternal life that will not end, that is completely devoid of toil and trouble. This eternal life will be ours when Jesus returns, raises us from the dead, and brings us into the new creation. In Psalm 90, verse 1 shoes us this. God is our dwelling place for all generations. Even eternal generations.
The enemy of sin is conquered by God’s favor, shown ultimately in Jesus’ death on the cross. The psalm hints little at this. but recognizes the defeat of one’s sin before an eternal God occurs only through His favor (verse 17).
3. Whose point of view am I taking?
The Psalm is one of very few written by Moses. It is his point of view we take as Moses seems to speak intentionally for all humanity. There are only two possible points of view here. God and humanity. Creator and creature. And we have a hard time taking God’s perspective for we are not from everlasting. Indeed it may be inappropriate to try and take God’s perspective here.
4. Who are You, Lord?
God is many things in this Psalm. He is Creator. He is eternal. He is from everlasting to everlasting. He is the one who returns us to the dust. He is the one who has favor upon us. He is the one who teaches us wisdom. He is steadfast love. He makes us rejoice and be glad.
In all of these things Psalm 90 highlights God’s power and glory as the eternal Creator of all things.
Thanks for following along. Questions 5-7 will hit your inbox on Thursday, with questions 8-10 on Friday.
Andy
Be Curious. Ask Questions.