The RELATIONSHIP Between God & Man

When and under it was written, we do not know. Many scholars believe it to have been written near the end of the 40 years of wandering - near the end of Moses’s days on the earth.

The Psalm is about understanding the frailty of man, especially in light of God’s power and strength.

The key to the Psalm is in v. 11 - The center of this chasm is a reminder of God’s power and anger. Because my days on earth are brief … because I will not outlive God … because I will stand before Him … I must be aware of Whom I answer to, and my place in relation to Him.

Key words in this Psalm: Day 6x; God (el) 3x; Morning 3x; Anger 2x; Lord (adon) 2x.

A NEED TO PRAISE (1-4)

God is eternal!

vv.1-2 - God is the only One for all generations to turn to for refuge - and man does need His protection.

Synonymous Parallelism = v. 2 Before the mountains were born - Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, - Even from everlasting to everlasting

vv. 3-4 - The distinction between God and man:

Man dies and goes to dust.God does not die.

Time means nothing to Him.

A NEED TO PROCESS (5-12)

vv. 5-6 - Man’s Life is Short - Man’s days are like:

A flood that comes quickly and leads to destruction, and is no respecter of persons

Sleep in that we just get started and it seems it is over the next moment

Grass in that it sprouts quickly and just as quickly is gone.

vv. 7-9 - Judgment Awaits Us - Where we will face:

The righteous anger and wrath of God over sin

The realization of our own sins that we gave committed against Him

Our brief life has led us only to this:

v. 10 - Our time here in life is short at best.

Life is full of problems and then it is gone.

v. 11- The Key to the Psalm - We must view God, Man, and Life in the context of this fact.

God is powerful

Man is weak

Life is short

Man will meet God and answer to Him!

vv. 12 - So, in light of all this, we must prepare for life to be over.

A NEED TO PRAY (13-17)

v. 13 - For God to return and approve of His servants who have tried to serve Him.

v. 14 - Spiritual satisfaction to know there is something better after this life.

v. 15 - Joy in this life even in difficult times.

vv. 16-17 - A manifestation of God’s power and glory, and a continued blessing in service to the Lord.

Note the Refrain at the end of the Psalm. - “Establish” (ESV) (“Confirm” in NASB)

This is all because of our frailty, and God’s Power (v. 11) that this must be asked of Him.