Psalms 90

Teach us to number our days

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.a ²Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.b 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.c

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.d

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.e ¹³Relent, Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants.

¹⁴Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.f ¹⁵Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. ¹⁶May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.g

¹⁷May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.h