Purpose

To provide a songbook for worship and express the full range of human emotions in relationship with God.

Author

Multiple authors over 1,000 years. David wrote nearly half (73 psalms), often during his years as a shepherd, warrior, and king. Other contributors include worship leaders, musicians, and poets.

Historical Context

Written: 1440-400 BC. Israel's worship songs covering 1,000 years of history from Moses to the exile.

Significance

The Bible's prayer book and hymnal, showing us how to relate to God honestly in every circumstance.

Key Themes

Worship, Prayer, God's Character, Trust, Deliverance

Interesting Facts

• Psalms is the longest book in the Bible with 150 chapters
• Jesus quoted Psalms more than any other Old Testament book
• Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible (2 verses)

Prophecies

• Messianic psalms predicting Christ's suffering and glory (Psalms 22, 69, 110, etc.) Fulfilled: Jesus fulfilled these in His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension (1000 years later)

Psalm 90 stands out as a poignant reflection on the nature of God and human mortality, attributed to Moses, the man of God. This psalm opens with an acknowledgment of God as a refuge throughout generations, emphasizing His eternal nature. The first few verses contrast God's everlasting existence with human frailty, illustrating how He exists outside of time, while humanity is transient, returning to dust. The imagery of a thousand years being like a mere day in God's sight highlights the vast difference between divine and human perspectives on time. As the psalmist contemplates human life, he laments the brevity and toil of existence, observing that our days are filled with sorrow and trouble, leading to a sense of urgency in seeking wisdom. The plea for God to teach us to number our days reflects a desire for a life imbued with meaning and awareness of its fleeting nature. The psalm then shifts to a heartfelt prayer for God's mercy and satisfaction in His steadfast love, emphasizing the need for divine intervention in the midst of human suffering and affliction. Moses concludes with a prayer for God's favor and the establishment of the work of our hands, seeking a life that is fruitful and impactful, grounded in God's blessings. This psalm encourages readers to reflect on their own lives, recognizing the importance of seeking wisdom, understanding the weight of sin, and relying on God's eternal love and mercy.

Purpose

To provide a songbook for worship and express the full range of human emotions in relationship with God.

Author

Multiple authors over 1,000 years. David wrote nearly half (73 psalms), often during his years as a shepherd, warrior, and king. Other contributors include worship leaders, musicians, and poets.

Historical Context

Written: 1440-400 BC. Israel's worship songs covering 1,000 years of history from Moses to the exile.

Significance

The Bible's prayer book and hymnal, showing us how to relate to God honestly in every circumstance.

Key Themes

Worship, Prayer, God's Character, Trust, Deliverance

Interesting Facts

• Psalms is the longest book in the Bible with 150 chapters
• Jesus quoted Psalms more than any other Old Testament book
• Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible (2 verses)

Prophecies

• Messianic psalms predicting Christ's suffering and glory (Psalms 22, 69, 110, etc.) Fulfilled: Jesus fulfilled these in His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension (1000 years later)

Psalm 90 stands out as a poignant reflection on the nature of God and human mortality, attributed to Moses, the man of God. This psalm opens with an acknowledgment of God as a refuge throughout generations, emphasizing His eternal nature. The first few verses contrast God's everlasting existence with human frailty, illustrating how He exists outside of time, while humanity is transient, returning to dust. The imagery of a thousand years being like a mere day in God's sight highlights the vast difference between divine and human perspectives on time. As the psalmist contemplates human life, he laments the brevity and toil of existence, observing that our days are filled with sorrow and trouble, leading to a sense of urgency in seeking wisdom. The plea for God to teach us to number our days reflects a desire for a life imbued with meaning and awareness of its fleeting nature. The psalm then shifts to a heartfelt prayer for God's mercy and satisfaction in His steadfast love, emphasizing the need for divine intervention in the midst of human suffering and affliction. Moses concludes with a prayer for God's favor and the establishment of the work of our hands, seeking a life that is fruitful and impactful, grounded in God's blessings. This psalm encourages readers to reflect on their own lives, recognizing the importance of seeking wisdom, understanding the weight of sin, and relying on God's eternal love and mercy.