Psalm 90
Moses's prayer — "Teach us to number our days."
Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place
in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world,
even from everlasting to everlasting,
thou art God.
Thou turnest man to destruction;
and sayest, Return, ye children of men.
For a thousand years in thy sight
are but as yesterday when it is past,
and as a watch in the night.
So teach us to number our days,
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Establish thou the work of our hands upon us;
yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.
Amen.
About this prayer
Psalm 90 is the only psalm attributed to Moses. It is the great prayer of perspective — a long view across centuries, a small life held inside an eternal God. "Teach us to number our days" is its most famous line, and the prayer of anyone who has ever wanted to live well in the time they have.
When to pray it
On birthdays. At new years. Whenever you feel time slipping. Before any work that you want to last.