Let
the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17
Psalm 90 [10.] The days of our years are seventy,
or even by reason of strength eighty years;
yet their pride is but labor and sorrow,
for it passes quickly, and we fly away.
Who knows the power of your anger,
your wrath according to the fear that is due to you?
So teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Relent, Yahweh![a]
How long?
Have compassion on your servants!
Satisfy us in the morning with your loving kindness,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen evil.
Let your work appear to your servants;
your glory to their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us;
establish the work of our hands for us;
yes, establish the work of our hands.
Footnotes:
a. Psalm 90:13 “Yahweh” is God’s proper Name, sometimes rendered “LORD” (all caps) in other translations.
Meaning:
This verse is part of a prayer attributed to Moses, making Psalm 90 one of the oldest psalms in the Bible. The entire psalm reflects on the fleeting nature of human life and the enduring power of God, culminating in a plea for God’s favor and the establishment of human endeavors.
- The Broader Psalm:
A Prayer of Moses: Psalm 90 is often called "A Prayer of Moses, the man of God." It contrasts the eternal nature of God with the temporary and often troubled life of humans. The psalm begins with acknowledging God as the eternal refuge and creator (Psalm 90:1-2) and goes on to reflect on the brevity of life, the consequences of sin, and the need for divine wisdom (Psalm 90:3-12).
A Plea for Mercy: As the psalm progresses, it becomes a plea for God’s mercy and favor. The psalmist asks God to "satisfy us in the morning with your loving kindness" (Psalm 90:14) and to "make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us" (Psalm 90:15). The final verses, including verse 17, express a desire for God’s blessing and for the permanence of the work done by human hands.
Significance
- The Favor of the Lord:
Seeking God’s Blessing: The phrase "Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us" is a prayer for God’s grace, kindness, and approval. It acknowledges that human efforts, no matter how diligent or well-intentioned, ultimately depend on God’s blessing to succeed. The psalmist understands that without God’s favor, all human efforts are in vain.
Living Under Divine Favor: Living under God’s favor means experiencing His presence, guidance, and blessing in every aspect of life. It reflects a deep desire for a relationship with God where His will and purposes are fulfilled in and through our lives.
- Establishing the Work of Our Hands:
The Desire for Lasting Impact: The repeated plea to "establish the work of our hands" reveals a longing for the efforts and labor of life to have meaning and lasting significance. In a world where much can seem fleeting or futile, the psalmist prays for God to give permanence to the work we do, making it count for something beyond our temporary existence.
Human Effort and Divine Intervention: This verse beautifully encapsulates the partnership between human effort and divine intervention. While we are called to work diligently and responsibly, the ultimate success and endurance of our work are in God’s hands. The psalmist seeks God’s intervention to ensure that our labor is not in vain but instead has lasting value.
Theological Reflection
- God’s Sovereignty Over Our Work:
Trusting God with Our Efforts: Psalm 90:17 reminds us that while we are responsible for the work of our hands, it is God who ultimately establishes it. This perspective encourages humility, recognizing that our achievements are not solely the result of our efforts but also the result of God’s favor. It calls us to trust God with our work, knowing that He is the one who can make it truly enduring.
The Intersection of the Temporal and the Eternal: The verse also reflects the intersection of the temporal and the eternal. Our lives are brief, but through God’s blessing, our work can have eternal significance. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that our labor for the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58), and that through Christ, even our most mundane tasks can have lasting value.
Practical Applications
- Seeking God’s Favor in Our Daily Lives:
Pray for God’s Favor: Just as the psalmist prayed for God’s favor, we too can ask for God’s blessing in our daily endeavors. Whether in our work, relationships, or personal growth, seeking God’s favor is key to experiencing His presence and guidance.
Work with Excellence, Trust in God’s Sovereignty: We are called to work diligently and with excellence, but with the understanding that the outcome is in God’s hands. This perspective can bring peace and purpose to our work, knowing that we are contributing to something greater than ourselves.
- Living with Eternal Perspective:
Focus on Lasting Impact: In a world where much is transient, Psalm 90:17 encourages us to focus on what has lasting value. This can be a guiding principle in our work and daily decisions, prompting us to prioritize those things that align with God’s purposes and have eternal significance.
Balance Between Work and Dependence on God: While we are called to be active and productive, this verse reminds us that we must also be dependent on God. It is not just about working hard but working with a heart that is surrendered to God’s will, seeking His blessing in all we do.
Cross-References:
Proverbs 16:3: "Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed." This verse from Proverbs echoes the same idea that our plans and work must be committed to God for them to be truly successful.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7: "I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase." Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians emphasize that while human efforts are necessary, it is ultimately God who brings growth and fruitfulness.
Conclusion: Psalm 90:17 is a powerful reminder of the importance of God’s favor in our lives and the enduring significance of our work when it is established by God. It calls us to seek God’s blessing, to trust in His sovereignty over our efforts, and to live with a focus on what truly matters. In a world where much is fleeting, this verse offers hope that through God’s grace, our lives and work can have lasting impact and meaning.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible