Senectus.
A Plea for Sustaining Grace
The petitioner asks God not to forsake them in their old age, but to allow them to continue declaring His strength.
O Lord, don't cast me aside in my old age; don't forsake me now that my strength is failing. Amen. Don't forsake me, O God, in my old age; now that I'm gray-headed, help me declare your strength to this generation and your power to all those who are to come. Amen.
The Wisdom of Numbering Our Days
The petitioner reflects on the brevity of life and asks for the wisdom to live intentionally before God.
O Lord, even though you've shortened the days of my youth, don't let me be covered with dishonor. Don't hide yourself from me forever, but remember how short my time is, and help me to remember it, O Lord. Amen. O Lord, teach me to number my days, so that I may apply my heart to wisdom. Amen.
Faithfulness Until the End
Amidst physical frailty and the fading of life, the petitioner asks for God's presence and the grace to serve faithfully until the end.
O Lord, don't hide your face from me when I'm in trouble; my days are fading away like smoke, and my bones are burned up like a firebrand. My days are passing like a shadow, and I'm withered like grass. You, O Lord, have brought down my strength during my journey and shortened my days. But, O my God, don't take me away except in the right time of my age, so that I may continue to serve you and be faithful in your service until you remove me from here. Amen.
Read the original Latin
O Lord, cast me not off in the time of mine Age, forsake me not now my strength begins to fail me. Amen.
Forsake me not, O God, in mine old age, now I am gray-headed, until I have declared thy strength unto this Generation, and thy power to all them that are to come. Amen.
O Lord, though thou hast shortned the dayes of my youth, yet cover me not with dishonour. Hide not thy self from me for ever, but remember how short my time is, and make me remember it, O Lord. Amen.
O Lord, teach me to number my days, that I may apply my heart unto wisdom. Amen.
O Lord, hide not thy face from me in the time of trouble; for my dayes are consumed away like smoke, and my bones are burnt up like a fire-brand. My dayes are gone like a shadow, and I am withered like grass. Thou, O Lord, hast brought down my strength in my journey, and shortned my daies. But, O my God, take me not away but in the timeliness of my age, that I may continue to serve thee, and be faithful in thy service, till thou remove me hence. Amen.
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