- 1(Book Four)
(From Everlasting to Everlasting)A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
- 2
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
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You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man!"
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For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.
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You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning:
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in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.
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For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed.
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You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
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For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
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The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.
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Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?
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So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
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Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants!
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Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
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Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil.
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Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children.
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Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!