• God’s Eternity and the Brevity of Human Life.

  • 1 Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
  • 2 Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
  • 3 You turn mortals back into dust And say, “Return, you sons of mankind.”
  • 4 For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it passes by, Or like a watch in the night.
  • 5 You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep; In the morning they are like grass that sprouts anew.
  • 6 In the morning it flourishes and sprouts anew; Toward evening it wilts and withers away.
  • 7 For we have been consumed by Your anger, And we have been terrified by Your wrath.
  • 8 You have placed our guilty deeds before You, Our hidden sins in the light of Your presence.
  • 9 For all our days have dwindled away in Your fury; We have finished our years like a sigh.
  • 10 As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is only trouble and tragedy; For it quickly passes, and we disappear.
  • 11 Who understands the power of Your anger And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?
  • 12 So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
  • 13 Do return, Lord; how long will it be? And be sorry for Your servants.
  • 14 Satisfy us in the morning with Your graciousness, That we may sing for joy and rejoice all our days.
  • 15 Make us glad according to the days You have afflicted us, And the years we have seen evil.
  • 16 Let Your work appear to Your servants And Your majesty to their children.
  • 17 May the kindness of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.