The length of our days is seventy years

Yesterday was all about the beginnings of life. The grandchildren took centre stage, merry and bright.

This morning we are expecting professionals to come and focus on looking after me. The care people are to come and we are to discuss how they may come to supplement the nursing and other care that Charlie and Chacquie are at present able to give me. I'm sure an extra pair of hands will be valuable soon to them.

There are other loose ends on the care front. A hospice nurse has promised to help fill in an attendance allowance application; she says it takes an hour.

There's also my disabled car cards which have not come any nearer, and would be really useful. I don't know whether I have to ring them.

Anyway, in the midst of practicalities, here is the psalm about length of life.

Lord, you have been our dwelling place
       throughout all generations.

 ² Before the mountains were born
       or you brought forth the earth and the world,
       from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

 ³ You turn men back to dust,
       saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men."

 ⁴ For a thousand years in your sight
       are like a day that has just gone by,
       or like a watch in the night.

 ⁵ You sweep men away in the sleep of death;
       they are like the new grass of the morning-

 ⁶ though in the morning it springs up new,
       by evening it is dry and withered.

 ⁷ We are consumed by your anger
       and terrified by your indignation.

 ⁸ You have set our iniquities before you,
       our secret sins in the light of your presence.

 ⁹ All our days pass away under your wrath;
       we finish our years with a moan.

 ¹⁰ The length of our days is seventy years—
       or eighty, if we have the strength;
       yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
       for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

 ¹¹ Who knows the power of your anger?
       For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.

 ¹² Teach us to number our days aright,
       that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

 ¹³ Relent, O LORD! How long will it be?
       Have compassion on your servants.

 ¹⁴ Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
       that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

 ¹⁵ Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
       for as many years as we have seen trouble.

 ¹⁶ May your deeds be shown to your servants,
       your splendour to their children.

 ¹⁷ May the favour of the Lord our God rest upon us;
       establish the work of our hands for us—
       yes, establish the work of our hands.