Domine refugium

Verse 1

Thou, Lord, hast been our sure defence, our place of ease and rest, In all times past, yea, so long since as cannot be exprest.

Verse 2

Before was made mountain or hill, the earth and world abroad From age to age, and always still for ever thou art God.

Verse 3

Thou grindest man through grief and pain to dust or clay, and then Thou unto them dost say again, Return ye sons of men.

Verse 4

The lasting of a thousand years, what is it in thy sight? As yesterday it doth appear, or as a watch by night.

Verse 5

So soon as thou dost scatter them, then is their life and trade Ev'n as a sleep, or like the grass, whose beauty soon doth fade,

Verse 6

Which in the morning shines full bright, but fadeth suddenly, And is cut down before the night, all withered, dead, and dry.

Verse 7

For through thine anger we consume, our might is much decay'd, And of thy fervent wrath, O Lord, we are full sore afraid.

Verse 8

The wicked works, that we have wrought, thou sett'st before thy eye, Our privy faults, yea all our thoughts thy countenance doth spy.

Verse 9

For through thy wrath our days do waste, thereof doth nought remain, Our years consume as doth a blast, and are not call'd again.

Verse 10

The time of our abode on earth is threescore years and ten; But if we come to fourscore years, our life is grievous then:

Verse 11

For of this time the strength and chief we dote so much upon, Is nothing else but pain and grief, and we as blasts are gone.

Verse 12

What man doth know what power and what might thy anger hath? Or in his heart, who doth thee fear, according to thy wrath?

Verse 13

Instruct us, Lord, to know and try how long our days remain; That so we may our hearts apply true wisdom to attain.

Verse 14

Return, O Lord, how long wilt thou in thy great wrath proceed? Shew favour to thy servants now, and help them at their need:

Verse 15

Refresh us with thy mercy soon, then shall we joyful be; All times so long as life doth last in heart rejoice will we.

Verse 16

As thou hast plagued us before, now also make us glad, And for the years wherein full sore affliction we have had.

Verse 17

O let thy work and pow'r appear, and on thy servants light, And shew unto thy children dear thy glory and thy might:

Verse 18

Lord, let thy grace and glory stand on us thy servants thus; Confirm the works we take in hand, and prosper them to us.