October 1, 2006 | Author: Chuck Monan

See His Righteousness and Fear Him

Psalm 90

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

                                                                        ~ John Donne

Since the time sin entered into the world and brought death in its wake, mankind has been living in its ominous shadow.  Seldom have people escaped the fear that accompanies death's looming specter.  But the psalmist recognizes the truth that only by numbering our days aright - by living according to God's holiness and wisdom - can we exchange the fear of death for the fear of the Lord.  The former is debilitating and enslaving; the latter is empowering and freeing:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom ~ (Ps. 111: 10).

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge ~ (Prov. 1: 7).

To fear the Lord is to hate evil ~ (Prov. 8: 13).

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life ~ (Prov. 14: 27).

The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom ~ (Prov. 15:33).

The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever ~ (Ps. 19: 9).

It is instructive that the book which obsesses more about death than any other in the Bible concludes, "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:  Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecc. 12: 13).  The 90th psalm not only echoes this sentiment but adds to it the following soaring truths: 

1.  God's Refuge

     Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations (90:1).

2.   God's Eternality

      Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from        everlasting to everlasting you are God (90: 2).

3.   God's Judgment

      You turn men back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, o sons of men"  You sweep men away in the sleep of death~ (90: 3-6).

4.   God's Timelessness

      For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night (90: 4).

5.   God's Wrath

      We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation¼ Who knows the power of your anger?  For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. 

      (90: 7- 11).

6.   God's Mercy

      Relent, O 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. (90: 13-17).

Questions for Discussion

1)  Why does the veracity of the Bible depend on its opening words: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" ?

2)  In what ways does the timelessness of God make his perspective different from ours?

3)  How has the brevity of life impacted you as you have aged?

4) What lesson does the psalmist draw about the wrath of God and numbering our days aright?

5)  What are some of the ways you have experienced the mercy and compassion of God in your life?