Psalm

God's Eternity and Human Frailty

A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.

1Lord, you have been our dwelling-place90.1 Another reading is our refuge

in all generations.

2Before the mountains were brought forth,

or ever you had formed the earth and the world,

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3You turn us90.3 Heb humankind back to dust,

and say, ‘Turn back, you mortals.’

4For a thousand years in your sight

are like yesterday when it is past,

or like a watch in the night.

5You sweep them away; they are like a dream,

like grass that is renewed in the morning;

6in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;

in the evening it fades and withers.

7For we are consumed by your anger;

by your wrath we are overwhelmed.

8You have set our iniquities before you,

our secret sins in the light of your countenance.

9For all our days pass away under your wrath;

our years come to an end90.9 Syr: Heb we bring our years to an end like a sigh.

10The days of our life are seventy years,

or perhaps eighty, if we are strong;

even then their span90.10 Cn Compare Gk Syr Jerome Tg: Heb pride is only toil and trouble;

they are soon gone, and we fly away.

11Who considers the power of your anger?

Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due to you.

12So teach us to count our days

that we may gain a wise heart.

13Turn, O LORD! How long?

Have compassion on your servants!

14Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,

so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

15Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,

and for as many years as we have seen evil.

16Let your work be manifest to your servants,

and your glorious power to their children.

17Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us,

and prosper for us the work of our hands—

O prosper the work of our hands!