Book IV

(Psalms 90–106)

Psalm 90

God’s Eternity and Human Frailty

A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.

1Lord, you have been our dwelling placed

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 use 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 endf like a sigh.*

10The days of our life are seventy years

or perhaps eighty, if we are strong;

even then their spang 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 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 as many days as you have afflicted us

and 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 favor of the Lord our God be upon us

and prosper for us the work of our hands—

O prosper the work of our hands!*