Reading the Psalms

Last week I picked up a copy of Reading the Psalms With Luther (published by CPH). I Like praying the Psalms. I love studying them. I love how the Psalms (the whole bible really, but we're talking about the Psalms here) point to Christ throughout.

Two days ago a friend of a friend left this veil of tears to be with her savior. My friend and her husband (who's a pastor) were able to be with her during her last moments. My friend's husband was reading Psalm 90 to their dear friend when she died.

With little need for encouragement from my friend I too went and read Psalm 90. Since my shiny new copy of Reading the Psalms With Luther was handy, I picked it up to read.  WOW! Spectacular!

Here is Luther's comments on the Psalm,
"The 90th psalm is a psalm of instruction in which Moses teaches the origin of death, namely sin, which, though known only by God and hidden from the world, is yet inborn in all from Adam to us. It shows that life here is not only short but also miserable, so that it may well be called a daily death. Nevertheless, the psalmist says that such a life is good, so that through it we would be driven to see God's grace and His help to deliver us from it all. (emphasis added) For those who never think of death and feel no misery remain senseless fools, caring nothing for God's grace or help. The psalm ends with the prayer that God would show us His work, namely His deliverance from sin and death, that is, that He would send Christ. and the psalmist asks that, while we live here, God would establish our work, that is, that both spiritual and worldly authority may be and remain favorable. The 90th psalm is a short, fine, rich, and full little prayer." (Reading the Psalms with Luther p 215)

Here is Psalm 90, very much worth the time to read!
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.
3 You return man to dust and say, "Return, O Children of man!"
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.
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.
11Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?
12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
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!

Finally, the Luther closes the section on Psalm 90 with this prayer,
"O Lord, eternal God, teach us so to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom, embracing Christ and his Gospel as Your wisdom and Your counsel for our salvation. Grant us grace to walk honestly as the day that, when our last hour is come, we may be found in true faith and godliness, ready to appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Amen." (Reading the Psalms with Luther p 217) 

What a great start to the day!