A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before
the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the
world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You return man to dust and
say, “Return, O children of man!” For a thousand years in your sight are but as
yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as
with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning:
in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and
withers.
For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we
are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the
light of your presence.
For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like
a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength
eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly
away. Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the
fear of you?
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning
with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us
glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we
have seen evil.
Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their
children. Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work
of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
