Psalm 90

Verse 1

O Lord, the Saviour and Defence of us thy chosen Race, From Age to Age Thou still hast been our sure abiding Place.

Verse 2

Before Thou brought'st the Mountains forth, or th' Earth and World didst frame, Thou always wert the mighty God, and ever art the same.

Verse 3

Thou turnest Man, O Lord, to Dust, of which he first was made; And when Thou speak'st the Word, Return, 'tis instantly obey'd.

Verse 4

For in thy Sight a thousand Years are like a Day that's past, Or like a Watch in Dead of Night, whose Hours unminded waste.

Verse 5

Thou sweep'st us off as with a Flood, we vanish hence like Dreams; At first we grow like Grass that feels the Sun's reviving Beams:

Verse 6

But howsoever fresh and fair its Morning Beauty shows; 'Tis all cut down and wither'd quite before the Evening close.

Verse 7

We by thine Anger are consum'd, and by thy Wrath dismay'd; Our publick Crimes and secret Sins before thy Sight are laid.

Verse 8

Beneath thy Anger's sad Effects our drooping Days we spend; Our unregarded Years break off, like Tales that quickly end.

Verse 9

Our Term of Time is seventy Years, an Age that few survive; But if, with more than common Strength, to eighty we arrive; Yet then our boasted Strength decays, to Sorrow turn'd and Pain; So soon the slender Thread is cut, and we no more remain.

Verse 10

But who thy Anger's dread Effects does, as he ought, revere? And yet thy Wrath does fall or rise, as more or less we fear.

Verse 11

So teach us, Lord, th' uncertain Sum of our short Days to mind, That to true Wisdom all our Hearts may ever be inclin'd.

Verse 12

O to thy Servants, Lord, return, and speedily relent! As we of our Misdeeds, do Thou of our just Doom repent.

Verse 13

To satisfy and chear our Souls, thy early Mercy send; That we may all our Days to come, in Joy and Comfort spend.

Verse 14

Let happy Times with large Amends dry up our former Tears, Or equal at the least the Term of our afflicted Years.

Verse 15

To all thy Servants, Lord, let this thy wond'rous Work be known, And to our Offspring yet unborn, thy glorious Pow'r be shown.

Verse 16

Let thy bright Rays upon us shine, give Thou our Work Success; The glorious Work we have in Hand do Thou vouchsafe to bless.