[1] Lord, You have always been our refuge. Our ancestors made You their home long ago. [2] Before mountains were born, before You fashioned the earth and filled it with life, from ages past to distant futures, You are truly God. [3] You turn people back to dust, saying, "Go back to the dust, children of Adam." [4] For You a thousand years is like a day when it is over, a watch during the night; there is no difference to You. [5] You release the waters of death to sweep mankind away in his slumber. In the morning, we are blades of grass, Growing rapidly under the sun but withering quickly; yet in the evening, we fade and die, soon to be cut down. [7] For Your anger has consumed us. Your wrath has shaken us to the core and left us deeply troubled. [8] You have written our offenses before You- the light of Your presence shines brightly on our secret sins, and we can't run or hide. [9] For all our days are spent beneath Your wrath; our youth gives way to old age, and then one day our years come to an end with a sigh. [10] We may journey through life for 70 years; some may live and breathe 80 years-if we are strong. Yet our time here is only toil and trouble; soon our days are gone, and we fly away. [11] Who can truly comprehend the power unleashed by Your anger? Your wrath matches the fear that is due to You. [12] Teach us to number our days so that we may truly live and achieve wisdom. [13] How long will we wait here alone? Return, O Eternal One, with mercy. Rescue Your servants with compassion. [14] With every sun's rising, surprise us with Your love, satisfy us with Your kindness. Then we will sing with joy and celebrate every day we are alive. [15] You have spent many days afflicting us with pain and sorrow; now match those with years of unspent joy. [16] Let Your work of love be on display for all Your servants; let Your children see Your majesty. [17] And then let the beauty and grace of the Lord-our God-rest upon us and bring success to all we do; yes, bring success to all we do!
