Book IV

A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.

1Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place90.1 Another reading is refuge

in all generations.

2Before the mountains were brought forth,

or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world,

from everlasting to everlasting thou art God.

3Thou turnest man back to the dust,

and sayest, “Turn back, O children of men!”

490.4: 2 Pet 3.8.For a thousand years in thy sight

are but as yesterday when it is past,

or as a watch in the night.

5Thou dost sweep men away; they are like a dream,

like grass which 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 thy anger;

by thy wrath we are overwhelmed.

8Thou hast set our iniquities before thee,

our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.

9For all our days pass away under thy wrath,

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

10The years of our life are threescore and ten,

or even by reason of strength fourscore;

yet their span90.10 Cn Compare Gk Syr Jerome Tg: Heb pride is but toil and trouble;

they are soon gone, and we fly away.

11Who considers the power of thy anger,

and thy wrath according to the fear of thee?

12So teach us to number our days

that we may get a heart of wisdom.

13Return, O LORD! How long?

Have pity on thy servants!

14Satisfy us in the morning with thy steadfast love,

that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

15Make us glad as many days as thou hast afflicted us,

and as many years as we have seen evil.

16Let thy work be manifest to thy servants,

and thy glorious power to their children.

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

and establish thou the work of our hands upon us,

yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.