Psalm 90:1-12

BOOK IV Psalm 90 1A prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.

2Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”

4A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.

5Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death— they are like the new grass of the morning:

6In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered.

7We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation.

8You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

9All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan.

10Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

11If only we knew the power of your anger! Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.

12Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.