"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands."

Psalm 90:17

The psalm features two main contrasts. The first is between God’s eternal existence (vv. 1, 2) and our fleeting human life (vv. 3, 6). What is there on earth that is more enduring than mountains? How does their age compare with the ancient Creator God who fashioned the earth in which he planted them? Verse 10 (Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures) is a generous description of the average human life span on the earth today. In light of all this, the prayer in verse 12 (Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom most) is appropriate for us!

The second contrast is between the anger which God displays (vv. 7–11) and the compassion for which the psalmist pleads (vv. 13–17). God’s anger is great and powerful, but it is fully justifiable as his just and holy response to the affront of sin (vv. 7, 8, 11). The only viable response is to plead for his compassion on the basis of his unfailing love (v. 14). Our own situation is no different. The psalmist’s conclusion in verse 17 is exactly what we need: "May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands."

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord God, let your favor rest on me; please establish the work of my hands—use all that I do be for your glory.

(Edited from Encounter with God)