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