A Prayer of Moses, the Man of God

Verse 1

Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place, our refuge and defence, In all the generations past, and still our confidence.

Verse 2

Before the mountains Thou didst form, or earth, and world abroad, Thou ev'n from everlasting art to everlasting, God.

Verse 3

Thou to destruction dost reduce frail, miserable men; And to all Adam's sons Thou say'st, return ye back again.

Verse 4

For ev'n a thousand years appear no more before thy sight, Than yesterday that now is past, or than a watch by night.

Verse 5

Thou dost them bear away as with a flood that overflows: Like sheep they are; and as the grass, which in the morning grows;

Verse 6

Which in the morning flourishes, but soon its beauty flies; When evening comes 'tis all cut down, and withers up and dies.

Verse 7

For by thy fiery anger we consumed are away; And troubled by thy burning wrath, we hastily decay.

Verse 8

Thou dost our open trespasses, before thy presence place; And ev'n our secret sins before the brightness of thy face.

Verse 9

For in thine anger all our days away are quickly roll'd; And all our years we waste away, like a short tale soon told.

Verse 10

For therefore years and ten the days of our short life may be: Or if by reason of more strength, we fourscore years may see; Yet is this lengthning out but sin, toil, grief and vanity; And then 'tis speedily cut off, and swift away we fly.

Verse 11

O who is he that fully knows what power thine anger hath? Or who can fully comprehend the terror of thy wrath?

Verse 12

O teach Thou us effectually, to number so our days, As that our hearts we may apply to walk in wisdom's ways.

Verse 13

JEHOVAH, turn thy self again; how long yet shall it be? E're thou repent and comfort them who servants are to Thee?

Verse 14

O satisfy us early with thy free benignity; That so thro' all our days we may joy and make melody.

Verse 15

According to the days wherein, affliction we have had; And years of evil we have seen, now do thou make us glad.

Verse 16

O to thy servants, let thy work, thy glorious work appear; And show thy glory forth to those who their dear children are.

Verse 17

The kindness of the LORD our God, let on us ever shine; Confirm our handy work for us, establish it by thine.