BOOK IV

Psalms 90–106

Psalm 90

A prayer of Moses the man of God.

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling placex

throughout all generations.

2 Before the mountains were borny

or you brought forth the whole world,

from everlasting to everlastingz you are God.a

3 You turn people back to dust,

saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”b

4 A thousand years in your sight

are like a day that has just gone by,

or like a watch in the night.c

5 Yet you sweep people awayd in the sleep of death—

they are like the new grass of the morning:

6 In the morning it springs up new,

but by evening it is dry and withered.e

7 We are consumed by your anger

and terrified by your indignation.

8 You have set our iniquities before you,

our secret sinsf in the light of your presence.g

9 All our days pass away under your wrath;

we finish our years with a moan.h

10 Our days may come to seventy years,i

or eighty,j if our strength endures;

yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,k

for they quickly pass, and we fly away.l

11 If only we knew the power of your anger!

Your wrathm is as great as the fear that is your due.n

12 Teach us to number our days,o

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.p

13 Relent, Lord! How longq will it be?

Have compassion on your servants.r

14 Satisfys us in the morning with your unfailing love,t

that we may sing for joyu and be glad all our days.v

15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,

for as many years as we have seen trouble.

16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,

your splendor to their children.w

17 May the favora of the Lord our God rest on us;

establish the work of our hands for us—

yes, establish the work of our hands.x