day 18 : mor ning pray er
90

Domine, refugium

1  Lord, you have been our refuge *
from one generation to another.
2  Before the mountains were brought forth, or the earth
  and the world were made, *
you are God from everlasting, and world without end.
3  You turn man back to the dust; *
you say, “Return, O children of men.”
4  For a thousand years in your sight are as yesterday, *
even as a day that is past.
5  You scatter them as a night-watch that comes quickly to an end; *
they are even as a dream and fade away.
6  They are like the grass, which in the morning is green, *
but in the evening is dried up and withered.
7  For we consume away in your displeasure *
and are afraid at your wrathful indignation.
8  You have set our misdeeds before you, *
and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
9  For when you are angry, all our days are gone; *
we bring our years to an end, as a tale that is told.
10  The days of our life are seventy years, and though some
  be so strong that they come to eighty years, *
yet is their span but labor and sorrow; so soon 
it passes away, and we are gone.
   389

11  But who regards the power of your wrath, *
and who considers the fierceness of your anger?
12  So teach us to number our days, *
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
13  Turn again, O Lord, and tarry not; *
be gracious unto your servants.
14  O satisfy us with your mercy in the morning; *
so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.
15  Comfort us again, according to the measure of the days
  that you have afflicted us, *
and for the years in which we have suffered adversity.
16  Show your servants your work *
and their children your glory.
17  And may the grace of the Lord our God be upon us; *
prosper the work of our hands; O prosper our handiwork.