Refine Women’s Ministry Psalm 90 & 91: God Our Dwelling Place January 20, 2021 by Kim Peelen “We can reply to our transiency, fragility and indeed sinfulness by making the eternal God our home and by looking to him to give lasting effect to our sojourn and work on earth.” Alec Motyer We who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope [Christ] set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, Hebrew 6: 18b- 19a Our theme verse for the year is Christ…the anchor of the soul, a truth that gives hope to the believer who rejects his self rule and instead delights in God’s salvation and His Word. Our study of the Psalms this semester will emphasize the hope available to the follower of Christ. Today continues our brief overview and examination of selected prayers from this ancient Jewish book of poems and hymns. The collection of the 150 prayers includes numerous authors who wrote over span of 1000 years, but its organization exquisitely unfolds God’s Story of creation and history [TORAH and MESSIAH]; of His people’s pain and joy [LAMENT and PRAISE]; of man’s sin and Messiah’s salvation [FAITH and HOPE]. As the introduction to the Book of Psalms, the first two poems, describe these main themes that continue throughout the collection: Two Paths/Two People - the Blessed and the Wicked; and The Invincible Kingdom of Messiah. Psalm 1 opens with Blessed is the man and Psalm 2 ends with Blessed are all who seek refuge in him guiding the reader to see the complementary themes of the two different psalms. The blessed individual lives a distinctly different life because he is transplanted from a desert of sin to the living waters of God’s Word that he continually meditates on as his delight. The King of Kings is the theme of Psalm 2, in which the blessed person must have a special relationship, personal devotion, and trustful reliance. At the heart of a fruitful, spiritual life is our devotion and constant seeking refuge in the Lord Jesus Christ and delighting and pondering His Word. This way of living will securely attach the believer to the Anchor of Christ and His Hope. The oldest poem in the Psalms is Psalm 90, penned about 1400 BC by Moses, the man God hand-picked to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt and through 40 years of wilderness wanderings. Some scholars also attribute Psalm 91 to Moses. The many illustrations used in these poems recall many catastrophic encounters with the Holy Sovereign God and are similar to those described in the book of Numbers. Interestingly, Psalm 90 opens the fourth division of Psalms, Book 4, which scholars align with the fourth book of the Torah, Numbers. Thus, it is most fitting that the leader at the center of the action shares his thoughts of Israel’s Wilderness experience as an opening to this section of poems. [Watch videos by BibleProject: How to Read the Bible: Ancient Jewish Meditation Literature, and The Art of Biblical Poetry.] Hebrew Poetry Parallelism does not use rhyme or meter, but rather couplets or short phrases that SLOW down the reader to PONDER, LINGER over the truths. There are 3 types: Hebrew Poetry Couplets – first phrase introduces, then the following phrase expands on it Complete –finishes the thought Deepen –restates the thought in a new way Contrast –gives an opposite example of the thought 1 As you discuss, ponder the life of Moses as the firsthand witness and leader of the Israelites during their enslavement in Egypt, their miraculous rescue, and their encounters with the Holy Sovereign LORD in the desert. The questions are dispersed in the psalm in order to streamline discussion. Please reread the songs on your own to get the full poetic impact. GROUP DISCUSSION: Read and reflect on Psalm 90 and 91 (emphasis added). BOOK 4 Psalm 90 A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. (Headings by Steven Lawson) GOD’S ETERNALITY 1. Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Question 1. Moses highlights what characteristic of God in verses 1 & 2? Where have Moses and Israelites been dwelling for the last 400 years? GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY 3. You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man [Adam]!" 4. For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. 5. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: 6. in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. Question 2. Moses highlights what characteristic of man in contrast to God in verses 3-6? How does he describe man’s lifespan? Discuss examples of God ‘sweeping away men as a flood’ during Moses’ life. GOD’S SEVERITY 7. For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. 8. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. 9. For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. 10. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. 11. Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? 2 Question 3. What is the cause of God’s anger in verses 7-11? Discuss examples of God’s wrath during Israel’s desert wandering. THE PROPER RESONSE OF MAN 12. So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Question 4. This verse is theme of the song. Given man’s desperate situation, what is he commanded to do? How is he to get a heart of wisdom? GOD’S MERCY 13. Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! 14. Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 15. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. 16. Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. 17. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! Question 5. In closing, Moses prays for what specifically from God? Connect verses 1 and 2 with how man can enjoy these benefits from God. Psalm 91 [Some Scholars attribute this psalm to Moses] Headings by Steven Lawson FAITH IN A POWERFUL GOD 1. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2. I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Question 6. This is a statement of faith: In what is the psalmist placing his faith? Underline the different words for God’s protection. 3 FAVOR FROM A PROTECTING GOD 3. For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6. nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 7. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. 9. Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge— 10. no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. 11. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. 13. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. Question 8. Underline words of life’s threats. Circle words describing how God protects us. Question 9. What must man do to find God’s protection (verse 9 is the theme of the psalm)? FELLOWSHIP WITH A PERSONAL GOD [God speaks] 14. "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 15. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation." Question 10. God affirms His salvation to man when he does what three things? What are the ways God cares for this person? 4 CONCLUSION: As we examine Psalms 90 and 91, Moses’ authorship adds a profound dignity and gravity to the words. As Alec Motyer explains, ”Who better than Moses could marvel at finding a home in God throughout generation of homelessness – i.e.