Psalm 90

Abraham Coles

Thou wast, and art, and wilt be God:
From everlasting Thou
To everlasting still the same.
An unbeginning NOW.

The generations come and go,
Appear, and perish then;
3 Thou turnest man to dust, and say'st:
"Return ye sons of men!"

4 For in Thy sight a thousand years
Are but as yesterday,
And as a brief watch in the night
When it hath passed away.

5 Thou bearest them as with a flood
On to the silent deep;
So unsubstantial and so vain
Their life is as a sleep.

They are like grass, which groweth up
6 In the sweet morning light,
And in the evening is cut down,
And withered to the sight.

7 We by Thine anger are consumed;
8 Our secret sins are known;
9 The troubled years in sorrow pass.
Their end a sigh, a groan.

10 Three score and ten complete our term.
And should it reach four score,
'T is soon cut off, we fly away,
And here are seen no more.

11 Who knows the power of love incensed?
Of Thy just anger, who?
Of wrath proportioned to Thy fear,
And awe that is Thy due?

12 Teach us to so compute our days,
That we each hour may prize;
Apply our hearts to learn the lore
And wisdom of the skies.

13 Return, O Lord, how long? Do Thou
Compassionate our case;
Let it repent Thee so to hide
The comfort of Thy Face.

14 With early mercy satisfy,
And all our days make glad,
15 According to the days and years
Wherein Thou mad'st us sad.

16 Let Thy redeeming work be seen;
17 Thy beauty on us rest;
Establish Thou what we attempt,
And be our labors blest.