We have been reading through the Psalms in family devotions lately. Each of us uses a different version so that we can compare wording/meaning as we read: King James, New King James, New International, and English Standard versions. When we've read one or more Psalms, we choose verses, talk about them and what they tell us about God, ourselves, etc., etc., and put some kind of mark by them, so that we will always remember what we've learned and discussed.
Today we read Psalm 90, and many things stood out to us!
In verse 2, God is established as eternal. He always was, and always will be: before, during, and after what we call "time". He was before Creation, and was the Creator. (See ALSO Hebrews 11:3, Genesis 1:1, and John 1:1-4)
In verses 3, 5-6, the mortality of man is revealed. And verse 4 adds to the meaning of the vapor called "time".
Verses 7-8 make clear that death is the result of our sin. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." James 1:15, "...And sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."
Verse 8 also shows that God knows every sin, secret or not. He will bring all into account. (MORE VERSES)
Verses 9-10, 12 beg us to realize the brevity of life.
In conjunction with verses 16 and 17, these verses (9-10, 12) teach us the futility of life's work, apart from the Lord's working in and through us. Those works that are established by the Lord will bring reward beyond one's lifetime.
Verse 17 is truly our prayer, "Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us." The reason Christ has left the redeemed on earth for as long as chooses, is that His glory and salvation might be revealed through their lives to those who are unsaved. If others see His beauty in us, some will realize their need of getting right with Him, and the gift of salvation that is available.
