Meaning of Psalms 90:17

This verse, Psalm 90:17, is a profound and earnest plea for divine affirmation and divine enablement. It encapsulates the deep human desire for purpose and validation in one's endeavors, recognizing that true success and lasting impact are not solely the product of human effort but are ultimately dependent on God's blessing and favor. The psalmist, traditionally attributed to Moses, expresses a longing for God's approval to rest upon his people and their actions, so that what they build, create, or accomplish might be both sustained and given meaning by divine grace. This is not a passive wish for effortless prosperity, but a request for God's active involvement in making their work fruitful and enduring.

Context and Background

Psalm 90 is a psalm of Moses, often referred to as a prayer for the wilderness generation. It reflects on the brevity of human life in contrast to God's eternal nature, lamenting the consequences of sin and seeking divine guidance and restoration. The context is one of a people facing hardship and mortality, acutely aware of their dependence on God. The concluding verses, including 90:17, shift from lament to a petition, a hopeful aspiration for God's presence and blessing upon their ongoing existence and efforts.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Favor (Hebrew: chen): The opening phrase, "May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us," is a request for God's gracious regard and approval. This favor is not earned but is a gift that empowers and sustains.
• Establishment of Work (Hebrew: yatsav): The repetition of "establish the work of our hands" emphasizes the desire for stability, permanence, and success in their undertakings. It speaks to the hope that their labor will not be in vain but will yield lasting results.
• Dependence on God: The entire verse underscores the fundamental biblical principle of human dependence on God for all aspects of life, including the fruits of their labor.
• Purpose and Meaning: The establishment of their work implies that it will have a divine purpose and contribute to God's larger plan.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse offers a model for prayer and a perspective on work. It encourages believers to approach their tasks with a spirit of humility, recognizing that their efforts are blessed and made meaningful by God's favor. It can be applied to all areas of life: vocational work, family responsibilities, ministry, and personal projects. The application involves diligently engaging in our tasks while simultaneously seeking God's blessing and guidance, trusting that His favor will bring stability and purpose to our efforts. It reminds us that true fulfillment comes not just from accomplishment, but from knowing that our work is aligned with God's will and blessed by His presence.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The theme of God's establishment of human endeavors is woven throughout Scripture. From the creation mandate given to Adam and Eve to build and steward, to God's blessing on Noah's family and Abraham's lineage, to the building of the Tabernacle and the Temple, God consistently involves Himself in and blesses the work of His people. The New Testament continues this by speaking of believers as co-laborers with God (1 Corinthians 3:9) and as those who are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10). This verse anticipates Christ's redemptive work which ultimately establishes God's kingdom and empowers believers to bear lasting fruit.

Analogies

• A Gardener and a Seed: The psalmist's plea is akin to a gardener who plants seeds with diligence and care, but ultimately relies on the sun, rain, and soil – God's provision – to bring forth a harvest. The gardener's work is essential, but the establishment of the fruit is a divine act.
• An Architect and a Foundation: The request for God to "establish" the work is like an architect ensuring a strong foundation for a building. Human effort lays the bricks and mortar, but God's favor provides the unshakeable foundation that ensures the structure will stand.
• A Shipwright and the Sea: A shipwright meticulously builds a vessel, but the ship's journey and success depend on the favor of favorable winds and calm seas, which are ultimately under God's sovereign control.

Relation to Other Verses

• Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." This proverb directly echoes the sentiment of Psalm 90:17 by emphasizing reliance on God for direction and success.
• John 15:5: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." Jesus' teaching highlights the absolute necessity of divine connection for any fruitful endeavor.
• Philippians 2:12b-13: "...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." This passage illustrates the dynamic interplay between human effort and divine enablement, mirroring the request in Psalm 90:17.
• 1 Corinthians 15:58: "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." This verse offers assurance that work done in the Lord, under His favor, has eternal significance.