Be Steadfast, Immovable

June 9, 2017

Be Steadfast, Immovable

“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,

   and prosper for us the work of our hands—

   O prosper the work of our hands!”

Psalm 90:17 (NRSV)

Psalm 90 has long been a source of inspiration to the people of God. The hymn writer Isaac Watts drew inspiration from this psalm for one of our most beloved hymns, O God, Our Help in Ages Past. After the English Parliament passed the Schism Act, which was designed to severely limit religious freedom, Watts responded by writing this reassuring hymn.

Saint Peter turned to this psalm to help him express our need for patience as we wait for the coming again of Jesus, “But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:8-9).

The structure of the psalm is a short course in the history in humankind’s relationship with God: God is eternal, infinite; humankind is weak, frail, finite. God’s judgment is upon the sins of humankind; nevertheless, God is merciful and extends His favor to His children.

For me, verse 17 is most compelling. It has been a tradition in monasteries for the Monks to pray this verse each morning before they begin their daily labors. St. Paul, encourages us in 1 Corinthians 15:58, to always remember the value of our work in God’s Kingdom: “Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (NRSV) With this in mind, verse 17 is a good way for the followers of Christ to begin their day:

“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,

   and prosper for us the work of our hands—

   O prosper the work of our hands!”

Psalm 90:17 (NRSV)