Andrew Fountain - Why Psalm 90 is not in the least bit depressing

Psalm 90

A Prayer of Moses, the man of God

Introduction/summary:
God is faithful—we can trust all our days and years to him

Lord, you have been our dwelling place

through generation to generation.
Before the mountains were born,

or you had formed the earth

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
The Problem:
Can an infinite God really care about mankind?

You turn man back to dust

and say “Return, O children of man.”
For a thousand years in your eyes

is like yesterday that went by

or like a watch period in the night.
You sweep them away to death’s sleep

They are like the new grass grown up in the morning
In the morning it is fresh and grows up,

by the evening it is withered and dry.

A. The effect of God’s anger:
we are consumed

Yes, we are consumed by your anger,

and by your wrath we are terrified.
B. Our deeds are shown to God
law and justice

You have set our iniquities before you,

our secret sins in the light of your presence.
C. Days and years of
trouble & oppression

All our days pass away under your wrath,

we finish our years with a moan.
The length of our days is seventy years,

or if we have strength, eighty;

yet their best is but trouble and oppression;

for they quickly pass and we fly away.
D. God’s anger

Who knows the strength of your anger

and your fury is what causes fear.
E. True wisdom: heart devoted to God
and days measured out for him

Teach us to number our days aright,

that we man gain a heart of wisdom.
D’. God’s compassion
this is the turning poing (all grace)

Relent O Lord, How long?

and have compassion on your servants!
C’. Days and years of
singing and gladness

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,

that we may sing for joy and be glad all of our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,

for as many years as we have seen trouble.
B’. God’s deeds are shown to us
grace

May your deeds be shown to your servants,

and your splendour to their children.
A’. The effect of God’s favour:
we are blessed and established

May the delight of the Lord our God rest upon us,

and establish the work of our hands for us,

yes, establish the work of our hands.