Chapter 89

A prayer for the mercy of God; recounting the shortness and miseries of the days of man.

1. 1

   A prayer of Moses, the man of God.

2. 2

   Before the mountains were made, or the earth and the world was formed; from eternity and to eternity thou art God.

3. 3

   Turn not man away to be brought low: and thou hast said: Be converted, O ye sons of men.

4. 4

   For a thousand years in thy sight are as yesterday, which is past.

5. 6

   In the morning man shall grow up like grass, in the morning he shall flourish and pass away: in the evening he shall fall, grow dry and wither.

6. 7

   For in thy wrath we have fainted away: and are troubled in thy indignation.

7. 8

   Thou hast set our iniquities before thy eyes: our life in the light of thy countenance.

8. 9

   For all our days are spent; and in thy wrath we have fainted away.

9. 11

   Who knoweth the power of thy anger, and for thy fear 12 can number thy wrath?

10. 13

    Return, O Lord, how long? and be intreated in favour of thy servants.

11. 14

    We are filled in the morning with thy mercy: and we have rejoiced, and are delighted all our days.

12. 15

    We have rejoiced for the days in which thou hast humbled us: for the years in which we have seen evils.

13. 16

    Look upon thy servants and upon their works: and direct their children.

14. 17

    And let the brightness of the Lord, our God, be upon us: and direct thou the works of our hands over us; yea, the work of our hands do thou direct.