Psalm 90: Return to Your True Impelling Force

Psalm 90 Return to Your True Impelling Force Tefilla L /Mosheh Moses' prayer; the prayer of a human being filled with Elohim; 1 Adonai! You have been our only home across the generations. 2 From when mountains were writhing to birth in the labor of planet earth, across vast dimensions of time and space, the Force of El impels us. 3 Tells us: You! Humanity! You descend again into feeling overwhelmed by your challenges, I say: "Return, human beings, instead, to your true impelling Force." 4 Although a billion years are in your view but as a day, like yesterday, already come and gone; yet you stand watch during the passing time of darkness 5 Life blooms, life suddenly emerges like a field of blooming flowers; and we become carried away with life; still asleep in so many ways. 6 In a single morning of eternity we spring up and flower wildly; and then pass away into the longest evening, recycling like grass. 7 We easily miss our own sweet time of blossom and fulfillment, worrying that someone is angry with us; on fears of every possible catastrophic violence we constantly overindulge. 8 Our frailty is before us always; yet disheartening secrets drop their weight in the light of the Divine. 9 The burden of heavy days is poured out by the heightening Presence; disturbing changes become neutralized by a single enlightened thought. TRANSLITERATION MORE LITERAL INTERPRETATION T'fila l'moshe ish ha-elohim. A Prayer of Moses, a human of God. Adonai, ma-on ata hai-y'ta lanu b'dor v!dor. 1 My Lord, A dwelling place you have been for us from generation to generation. B'terem harim yuladu va-y'kholayl eretz v'tayvayl, umay-olam ad olan ata Ayl. 2 Before the mountains were born, and birthed was the earth and planet, and from everlasting to everlasting You are the Force. Tashayv enosh ad daka vatomer shuvu vnay Adam. 3 You return humanity to pulverized pulp, saying, "Go back, children of Adam." Ki elef shanim b'aynekha k'yom, et'mol ki ya-avor v'ashmurah valai-la. 4 For a thousand years in your sight are like a day, yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night. Z'ramtam shayna yih'yu baboker kekhatzir yakhalof. 5 You sweep them away; they are like a dream, like grass that is replaced in the morning; Baboker yatzitz v'khalaf laerev y'molayl v'yavaysh. 6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. Ki khalinu v'apekha uvakhamat'kha niv'hal'nu. 7 So we are consumed in your anger; by your violence we have been terrorized. Shata avonotaynu l'neg'dekha alumaynu lim'or panekha. 8 You have set our frailties before you, our immaturity is in the light of your face. Ki khol yamaynu panu v'evratekha kilinu shanaynu k'mo hegeh. 9 So all our days pass by in your troubledness; our years come to an end like a sigh. Psalm 90 Return to Your True Impelling Force - Continued 10. The days of our years are limited - to seventy years; if blessed with vigor, eighty years. Too many of them flyaway, passing in emptiness and turmoil; but we may cut loose and soar free in mid-struggle. 'tP ,TT 11. Who amongst us knows how to divert rage against limited mortality to furthering life's intention? Who can guide us to transform our fear of dying to identification with spiritual evolution? 12. Teach us to treasure our days that we may develop a heart of wisdom. 13. Return to us,Yah, openly; when will that be? Let inner disciple reconcile with inner Master. 14. Then show us how to walk in abundance in the sweet mornings of our lives; to hum and find joy present in our days. 15. Then show us gladness that we balance distorted perceptions of evil days, especially those held fast for many years. 16. Teach us, as your disciple, to sense perfection in the Universe's craft; May our children learn from the radiance we have finally discovered in life. 17. May the beauty of the divine Power be with us now. May the divine beauty inhabit the work of our hands. And may our handiwork reflect our bond with You. ,:rTQD