Psalms 90:17

Psalms 90:17 is a profound prayer from Moses, serving as a powerful conclusion to a psalm that meditates on God's eternal nature, human transience, and the consequences of sin. This verse expresses a deep longing for divine favor and the lasting impact of God's blessing on human endeavors.

Context

Psalm 90 is unique as the only psalm attributed to Moses, making it one of the oldest compositions in the biblical Psalter. It is a prayer that likely emerged from the wilderness experience, reflecting on the brevity and struggles of human life in contrast to God's everlasting dominion. The psalm begins by establishing God as an eternal dwelling place (Psalm 90:1-2) and then laments the fleeting nature of human existence, often cut short by divine displeasure due to sin (Psalm 90:7-11). The latter part of the psalm shifts to a plea for wisdom, mercy, and renewal (Psalm 90:12-16). Verse 17, therefore, is a culminating request for God's manifest presence and blessing to make their limited time and efforts count for eternity.

Key Themes

• Divine Favor and Presence: The request, "And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us," is a prayer for God's gracious presence, favor, and pleasantness to be evident in their lives and actions. It signifies a desire for God's approval and blessing to shine upon them.
• Sanctification and Establishment of Labor: The repeated plea, "and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it," highlights a deep human desire for purpose and lasting impact in their daily labors. It acknowledges that true, enduring success and fruitfulness in any endeavor—whether in family, ministry, or daily work—do not come from human effort alone but from divine approval and empowerment. This echoes Proverbs 16:3, "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established."
• Dependence on God: This verse underscores a profound reliance on God for the significance and endurance of all human undertakings. It is a humble recognition that without God's blessing, even the most diligent efforts can be futile.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "beauty" in the KJV is no'am (נֹעַם), which carries the sense of pleasantness, graciousness, delight, or charm. It’s not merely aesthetic beauty, but the attractiveness and goodness of God's character and His favorable disposition towards His people. The repetition of "establish thou the work of our hands" using the Hebrew word kun (כּוּן), meaning to set up, confirm, make firm, or prepare, emphasizes the earnestness of Moses' prayer and the deep desire for permanence and divine validation of their efforts.

Practical Application

Psalms 90:17 offers a timeless prayer relevant for believers today. It encourages us to:

• Seek God's Presence in All Things: Just as Moses prayed for the "beauty of the LORD" to be upon them, we should pray for God's favor, grace, and manifest presence to accompany us in every aspect of our lives, from our personal walk to our professional pursuits.
• Dedicate Our Work to the Lord: This verse reminds us to commit our daily tasks, projects, and careers to God. We are called to work diligently, knowing that true success and lasting fruit come from His blessing, not merely our own strength. As Colossians 3:23 instructs, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."
• Pray for Lasting Impact: In a world often focused on temporary achievements, this prayer inspires us to desire that our work—our contributions to family, community, church, and society—would have eternal significance, established and blessed by God Himself. It is a prayer for our efforts to glorify Him and bear enduring fruit.

Ultimately, Psalms 90:17 is a beautiful petition for God's blessing to empower human effort, transforming transient labor into work that reflects His glory and endures for His purposes.