1Lord, you have been our refuge *from one generation to another.
2Before the mountains were brought forth,
or the land and the earth were born, *from age to age you are God.
3You turn us back to the dust and say, *“Go back, O child of earth.”
4For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past *and like a watch in the night.
5You sweep us away like a dream; *we fade away suddenly like the grass.
6In the morning it is green and flourishes; *in the evening it is dried up and withered.
7For we consume away in your displeasure; *we are afraid because of your wrathful indignation.
8Our iniquities you have set before you, *and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
9When you are angry, all our days are gone; *we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
10The span of our life is seventy years,
perhaps in strength even eighty; *yet the sum of them is but labor and sorrow,
for they pass away quickly and we are gone.
11Who regards the power of your wrath? *who rightly fears your indignation?
12So teach us to number our days *that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.