1Lord, you have been our dwelling place through all generations.
2Before the mountains were born, before you formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
3You turn people back to destruction, and you say, "Return, you children of men."
4For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like one watch in the night.
5You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a sleep. In the morning they are like grass that springs up.
6In the morning it blossoms and grows; in the evening it is cut down and dries up.
7For we are used up by your anger, and by your wrath we are terrified.
8You have set our sins before you, our secret sins in the light of your face.
9For all our days pass away in your wrath. We spend our years like a tale that is told.
10The days of our years are seventy years; and if, by reason of strength, they are eighty years, yet their strength is labour and sorrow. For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
11Who knows the power of your anger? According to the fear that is due to you, so is your wrath.
12So teach us to number our days, that we may set our hearts on wisdom.
13Return, LORD. How long will it be? Relent concerning your servants.
14Satisfy us early with your mercy, so that we may sing and be glad all our days.
15Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for the years in which we have seen evil.
16Let your work be seen by your servants, and your glory by their children.
17And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us. Make the work of our hands stand firm; yes, make the work of our hands stand firm.