A Morning Prayer - Psalm 89 (90) 1-4, 17

A Morning Prayer - Psalm 89 (90) 1-4, 17
A prayer of Moses, a man of God.

O Lord, You became a refuge to us in generation and generation;
Before the mountains were made,
And before the earth and the world were formed.
And from everlasting to everlasting, You are.
Do not let man be turned back to humiliation,
And You said, "Return your sons of men."
For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday, which passed,
And like a watch in the night...

And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us.

And prosper for us the works of our hands.

(From Psalm 89, the Orthodox count; and Psalm 90, the Western count. Be sure to read the remaining chapter.)

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Commentary: [This] "is a morning prayer designed to keep one focused on the Lord rather than on this temporal life and its hopelessness. For He exists outside of time, and is therefore our only refuge. Every morning is an opportunity to return to Him in repentance [i.e.: turn around], and He is very patient, because a thousand years in His 'sight are like yesterday, which passed, and like a watch in the night.'... because He does not will that anyone should perish. Therefore, when we focus on the Lord every morning, we look for His return (2 Peter 3:13) and for His mercy, joy, enlightenment, and prosperity [*] throughout each day." {[*] Defined as a Heavenly prosperity.} 

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Scripture credit: Old Testament Text

St. Athanasius Academy Septuagint [TM]

Copyright (C) 2008 by St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology

Commentary credit: The Orthodox Study Bible

Copyright (C) 2008 by St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology