1BOOK IV A Prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations.

2Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.

3Thou turnest man to contrition; and sayest: 'Return, ye children of men.'

4For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

5Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep; in the morning they are like grass which groweth up.

6In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.

7For we are consumed in Thine anger, and by Thy wrath are we hurried away.

8Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance.

9For all our days are passed away in Thy wrath; we bring our years to an end as a tale that is told.

10The days of our years are threescore years and ten, or even by reason of strength fourscore years; yet is their pride but travail and vanity; for it is speedily gone, and we fly away.

11Who knoweth the power of Thine anger, and Thy wrath according to the fear that is due unto Thee?

12So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom.

13Return, O LORD; how long? And let it repent Thee concerning Thy servants.

14O satisfy us in the morning with Thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

15Make us glad according to the days wherein Thou hast afflicted us, according to the years wherein we have seen evil.

16Let Thy work appear unto Thy servants, and Thy glory upon their children.

17And 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.