During my theology class, last week, the class representative asked if any of the Psalms were written by Moses. He had read an article talking about the Psalms by Moses and was intrigued since he thought David was the sole author of The book of Psalms.
This raised more questions in the class like which Psalms were written by him. Borrowing from the years spent studying the book of Psalms, I addressed all their questions.
But, like my students, I’m sure you are also wondering, how many Psalms did Moses write?
According to the Bible Scholars, Moses only wrote one Psalm. The Psalm that Moses authored is Psalms 90. It is called “A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.”
In this article, I will further explore the Psalm Moses wrote, the themes covered, what Christians can learn from it, and much more.
So, ensure you read the entire article.
What Psalms did Moses write?
According to the scriptures, Moses wrote Psalms 90. It is the most ancient in the Book of Psalms. It is also the only one with a superscription that indicates Moses was the author.
He arbitrated between God and the people of Israel by interceding for them in prayer and invoking God’s blessing upon them. He was known as a true man of God because of this prayer.
Therefore, Psalm 90 is called “A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.” It is titled “From Everlasting to Everlasting”. It is also a psalm with a sacred hymnody.
What are the themes covered in the Psalms of Moses?
According to various Biblical scholars, the themes covered in the Psalms of Moses include the everlasting nature of God, the conciseness of human life, and the Israelites’ expedition in the wilderness.
Other Biblical scholars also suggest that the themes covered in the Psalms of Moses focus on God’s might and greatness, the limitations of mankind, and humanity’s need for the Almighty to provide grace to their daily supplications.
Premised on the Psalms of Moses, people are counseled to pursue wisdom and to live every day to its fullest for maximum impact to the glory of God.
Additionally, Moses highlights that people should learn how to number their days while still living in the world and to use every moment to honor God.
When did Moses start writing the Psalms?
According to various Biblical scholars, Moses started writing Psalm 90 from the year 1440 to 1400 BC. They postulate that he wrote the Psalm while in the wilderness on the way to Canaan.
It was a period that lasted 40 years, and it was within this timeframe that Moses became a psalmist. The Psalms of Moses were discovered in the Dead Sea Scrolls and became incorporated into the other Psalms.
Do the psalms of Moses reflect his life?
Several Bible scholars posit that the Psalms of Moses reflect his life. They argue that Psalms 90 has a personal connection to Moses because it mirrors his role as a leader and a prophet of God during his era in the wilderness.
Likewise, they claim that Moses authored the Psalms due to his profound relationship and encounters with God and his poetic articulation of faith and worship.
What can Christians learn from the prayer of Moses in Psalms 90?
From the prayer of Moses in Psalms 90, Christians can learn about the eternal nature of God.
According to Psalms 90:1-2, Moses highlights the eternality, infinite power, and greatness of God as the Creator of the universe: “O Lord, you have always been our home. Before you created the hills or brought the world into being, you were eternally God, and will be God forever.”
Secondly, Christians can also learn about the fragile nature of humanity.
According to Psalms 90:3-6, Moses emphasizes the frailty and transient reality of mankind. Third, Christians can learn about humanity’s sinful disposition and their shortfalls in contrast to a perfect deity.
According to Psalms 90:7-8, Moses addresses God’s wrath upon mankind due to their sins caused by disobedience and rebellion: “We are destroyed by your anger; we are terrified by your fury. You place our sins before you, our secret sins where you can see them.”
Fourth, Christians can learn how short life is for humanity in analogy with God’s immortal nature. According to Psalms 90:9-12, Moses indicates that most people live until the age of seventy to eighty in their earthly life.
He counsels people to learn how to number their days so that they can attain a heart of wisdom.
Lastly, Christians can learn about God’s grace upon His children. According to Psalms 90:13-17, Moses makes an appeal to God for grace and meaningful lives rather than an existence of vanity.
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
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