A Prayer of Moses, the Man of God

Verse 1

Thou Lord our stay hast been, an house Of habitation; From generation unto us, To generation.

Verse 2

Before the mountains were brought forth Or ever by thy word, Thou didst create the world and earth From aye to aye art God.

Verse 3

Thou dost by bruising to decay Turn miserable men; Ye sons of men, then dost thou say, Return ye back again.

Verse 4

For while a thousand years do last, It is but in thy sight As yesterday when it is past, And as a watch by night.

Verse 5

Thou dost them bear away like as A flood that overflows: Like sheep they are, and as the grass, Which in the morning grows.

Verse 6

Which in the morn is flourishing, And springing up doth rise; Which is cut down at evening, It withers up likewise.

Verse 7

Because by reason of thine ire We wasted are away; And by thine anger's burning fire We speedily decay.

Verse 8

Thou hast set our iniquities Before thee in thy sight; Our secret evils are likewise Before thy face's light.

Verse 9

Because in thy displeasure all Our days away are roll'd; We spend away our years withal Like as a tale that's told.

Verse 10

For threescore years and ten the days Of our few years contain: Or if through strength to fourscore rise, Their strength is grief and pain.

Verse 11

For soon it's gone, and hence we pass, O who is he doth know Thine anger's strength? according as Thy fear, thy wrath is so

Verse 12

O give thou us instruction To number so our days; That we our hearts may thereupon Turn into wisdom's ways.

Verse 13

Jehovah turn thy self again, How long yet shall it be? And let it thee repent for them That servants are to thee.

Verse 14

O satisfy us freely with Thy free benignity; That so through all our days we may Joy and make melody.

Verse 15

According to the days wherein Affliction we have had; And years wherein ill we have seen, Now also make us glad.

Verse 16

Unto thy servants, O do thou Thy handy-work declare. And shew thy comely glory to Those that their children are.

Verse 17

The beauty of Jehovah thus Our God let on us be: Confirm'd our handy-work on us, Confirm'd be it by thee.