A Prayer of Moses the man of God, regarding the brevity of man’s life

1LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2Before the mountains were brought forth, or You had ever formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. 3You turn man to dust; and say, “Return, you children of men.” 4For a thousand years in Your sight are but as yesterday when it has passed, and as a watch in the night. 5Yet You sweep them away as with a flood; they are as the new grass in the morning, which grows up. 6In the morning it flourishes, and grows up; and by evening, it is cut down, and withers.

7For we wither before Your anger, and by Your wrath we are perplexed. 8You have spread our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence. 9For all our days are passed away in Your wrath; we finish our years with a sigh. 10The days of our life may be seventy years; or if by reason of strength, they may be eighty years, yet their best days are spent in labor and sorrow; and are soon ended, and we fly away. 11Who comprehends the power of Your anger? Or the reverence that is due You? 12So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.

13Return, O LORD, how long will it be? And have compassion upon Your servants. 14Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 15Make us glad for as many days as You have afflicted us, and for as many the years as we have seen trouble. 16Let Your deeds be shown to Your servants, and Your splendor to their children. 17May the favor of the LORD our God be upon us, and direct and sustain the work of our hands; yea, may You establish and bless the work of our hands.