Let Us Kneel Before the Lord Our Maker

Psalms 90-106

Prayer is mysterious and difficult. Souls are nourished by prayer. Communities are strengthened and history is shaped by prayer. Yet those who pray find barriers to authenticity, perceptions of failure, and unanswered questions on every side. For countless generations the Psalms have been the prayer book of the people of God. In this sermon series we will give attention to a section of the psalms for help with our questions and for encouragement to persevere.

The large majority of psalms are recorded prayers, enlivened by music, intended for both individuals and congregations. They were written throughout Israel's history, from the exodus to the years following exile in Babylon--though roughly half of them belong to David.

The psalms are also gathered into five books or collections and our focus in these messages will be on book four (psalms 90-106), which is centered on a resounding word of faith, "The Lord reigns." Psalms 90-106 are carefully set in order to help worshippers move from questions to confidence, from struggle to strength as they pray.

This Week:

How Great Thou Art

Psalm 90

This psalm describes the human predicament in stark language. Our frailty, our sin, and foolishness make us unworthy of a God who is infinite, eternal, and holy. Authentic worship must begin with a sense of wonder--the undeserving ones, cared for by God; the ephemeral granted lasting significance. The song ends with two requests: "teach us attend to passing time so that we may grasp what is important;" and "overturn our failure by gifts of grace."