PSALM 90

(selected verses)

Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
Or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.

Thou turnest man to contrition;
And sayest: `Return, ye children of men.’
For a thousand years in Thy sight
Are but as yesterday when it is past,
And as a watch in the night.

Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as asleep;
In the morning they are like grass which groweth up.
In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up;
In the evening it is cut down, and withereth.

We bring our years to an end as a tale that is told.
The day of our years are the three-score years and ten,
Or even by reason of strength four-score years;
Yet is their pride but travail and vanity;
For it is speedily gone, and we fly away.

So teach us to number our days,
That we may get us a heart of wisdom.
Let Thy work appear unto Thy servants.
And Thy glory upon their children.

And let the graciousness of the Lord our God be upon us;
Establish Thou also upon us the work of our hands
Yea, the work of our hands establish Thou it.