Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 Psalm 90 begins Book Four in the Psalter. According to scholar J. Clinton McCann, the psalm itself is divided into four parts: verse 1-2, God; verses 3-6, the frailty of all life; verses 7-11 (not included in the reading), humankind’s disobedience; and verses 12-17, a plea for God’s mercy and compassion. Although it is the only psalm attributed to Moses, biblical scholars do not general believe he authored it. The theme of finitude, recall Moses’ death in Deuteronomy 34, is carried over in today’s psalm. The psalmist reminds us that we are all dust (recalls Genesis 3) and that we are all on the clock. The clock is ticking; the grass will not stay green forever. This is not the carpe diem philosophy of Ecclesiastes (3:12-13), but an occasion to petition for God’s compassion and mercy while we are alive. Again the word servant, in Hebrew abad, is repeated in verse 13. Why did the lectionary leave out verses 7-12, and what affect does that have on the reading of the psalm? How do you reconcile God as refuge (v. 1) and God’s affliction and subsequent suffering (v. 15)?
Posted on: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 14:00:01 +0000
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