Psalms – Chapter 89

Old Testament17 Verses

1A prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation.

2Before the mountains were made, or the earth and the world was formed; from eternity and to eternity thou art God.

3Turn not man away to be brought low: and thou hast said: Be converted, O ye sons of men.

4For a thousand years in thy sight are as yesterday, which is past. And as a watch in the night,

5Things that are counted nothing, shall their years be.

6In the morning man shall grow up like grass; in the morning he shall flourish and pass away: in the evening he shall fall, grow dry, and wither.

7For in thy wrath we have fainted away: and are troubled in thy indignation.

8Thou hast set our iniquities before thy eyes: our life in the light of thy countenance.

9For all our days are spent; and in thy wrath we have fainted away. Our years shall be considered as a spider:

10The days of our years in them are threescore and ten years. But if in the strong they be fourscore years: and what is more of them is labour and sorrow. For mildness is come upon us: and we shall be corrected.

11Who knoweth the power of thy anger, and for thy fear

12Can number thy wrath? So make thy right hand known: and men learned in heart, in wisdom.

13Return, O Lord, how long? and be entreated in favour of thy servants.

14We are filled in the morning with thy mercy: and we have rejoiced, and are delighted all our days.

15We have rejoiced for the days in which thou hast humbled us: for the years in which we have seen evils.

16Look upon thy servants and upon their works: and direct their children.

17And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us: and direct thou the works of our hands over us; yea, the work of our hands do thou direct.

Reflection for Today

Psalms Chapter 89 contributes to the biblical theme of prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God, which Catholic teaching develops throughout the Catechism. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The enduring truth that God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him calls us to response.

The Second Vatican Council's Dei Verbum teaches that "Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit" (DV 9). This chapter, like all Scripture, is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.

Catholic tradition encourages daily engagement with Scripture, whether through the Liturgy of the Hours, personal reading, or group study. The Catechism teaches that "prayer should accompany the reading of Sacred Scripture, so that a dialogue takes place between God and man" (CIC 2653). May your reading of this chapter be a true encounter with the living God.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

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