[1] O Lord, you have been our refuge throughout every generation. [2] Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, you were God. You are God from everlasting to everlasting. [3] You turn mortals back into dust and say, "Return, descendants of Adam." [4] Indeed, in your sight a thousand years are like a single day, like yesterday-already past- like an hour in the night. [5] You sweep mortals away. They are a dream. They sprout again in the morning like cut grass. [6] In the morning they blossom and sprout. In the evening they wither and dry up. [7] Indeed, your anger consumes us. Your rage terrifies us. [8] You have set our sins in front of you. You have put our secret sins in the light of your presence. [9] Indeed, all our days slip away because of your fury. We live out our years like one long sigh. [10] Each of us lives for 70 years- or even 80 if we are in good health. But the best of them bring trouble and misery. Indeed, they are soon gone, and we fly away. [11] Who fully understands the power of your anger? A person fears you more when he better understands your fury. [12] Teach us to number each of our days so that we may grow in wisdom. [13] Return, LORD! How long. . .? Change your plans about us, your servants. [14] Satisfy us every morning with your mercy so that we may sing joyfully and rejoice all our days. [15] Make us rejoice for as many days as you have made us suffer, for as many years as we have experienced evil. [16] Let us, your servants, see what you can do. Let our children see your glorious power. [17] Let the kindness of the Lord our God be with us. Make us successful in everything we do. Yes, make us successful in everything we do.
