[1] Lord, you have been our home since the beginning. [2] Before the mountains were born and before you created the earth and the world, you are God. You have always been, and you will always be. [3] You turn people back into dust. You say, "Go back into dust, human beings." [4] To you, a thousand years is like the passing of a day, or like a few hours in the night. [5] While people sleep, you take their lives. They are like grass that grows up in the morning. [6] In the morning they are fresh and new, but by evening they dry up and die. [7] We are destroyed by your anger; we are terrified by your hot anger. [8] You have put the evil we have done right in front of you; you clearly see our secret sins. [9] All our days pass while you are angry. Our years end with a moan. [10] Our lifetime is seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years. But the years are full of hard work and pain. They pass quickly, and then we are gone. [11] Who knows the full power of your anger? Your anger is as great as our fear of you should be. [12] Teach us how short our lives really are so that we may be wise. [13] LORD, how long before you return and show kindness to your servants? [14] Fill us with your love every morning. Then we will sing and rejoice all our lives. [15] We have seen years of trouble. Now give us as much joy as you gave us sorrow. [16] Show your servants the wonderful things you do; show your greatness to their children. [17] Lord our God, treat us well. Give us success in what we do; yes, give us success in what we do.
