1 Thou Lord our stay hast been, an house
Of habitation;
From generation unto us,
To generation.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth
Or ever by thy word,
Thou didst create the world and earth
From aye to aye art God.
3 Thou dost by bruising to decay
Turn miserable men;
Ye sons of men, then dost thou say,
Return ye back again.
4 For while a thousand years do last,
It is but in thy sight
As yesterday when it is past,
And as a watch by night.
5 Thou dost them bear away like as
A flood that overflows:
Like sheep they are, and as the grass,
Which in the morning grows.
6 Which in the morn is flourishing,
And springing up doth rise;
Which is cut down at evening,
It withers up likewise.
7 Because by reason of thine ire
We wasted are away;
And by thine anger's burning fire
We speedily decay.
8 Thou hast set our iniquities
Before thee in thy sight;
Our secret evils are likewise
Before thy face's light.
9 Because in thy displeasure all
Our days away are roll'd;
We spend away our years withal
Like as a tale that's told.
10 For threescore years and ten the days
Of our few years contain:
Or if through strength to fourscore rise,
Their strength is grief and pain.
For soon it's gone, and hence we pass,
11 O who is he doth know
Thine anger's strength? according as
Thy fear, thy wrath is so
12 O give thou us instruction
To number so our days;
That we our hearts may thereupon
Turn into wisdom's ways.
13 Jehovah turn thy self again,
How long yet shall it be?
And let it thee repent for them
That servants are to thee.
14 O satisfy us freely with
Thy free benignity;
That so through all our days we may
Joy and make melody.
15 According to the days wherein
Affliction we have had;
And years wherein ill we have seen,
Now also make us glad.
16 Unto thy servants, O do thou
Thy handy-work declare.
And shew thy comely glory to
Those that their children are.
17 The beauty of Jehovah thus
Our God let on us be:
Confirm'd our handy-work on us,
Confirm'd be it by thee.
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