1Lord, you have been our dwelling-place throughout all generations.2Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.3You turn people back to dust, saying, ‘Return to dust, you mortals.’4A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.5Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death – they are like the new grass of the morning:6In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered.7We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation.8You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.9All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan.10Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.11If only we knew the power of your anger! Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.12Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.13Relent, Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants.14Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.15Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.16May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendour to their children.17May the favour[1] of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.
1A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling place[1] in all generations. (De 33:1; Jos 14:6; Ezr 3:2; Ps 17:1; Ps 55:1; Ps 71:3)2Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (De 33:15; Job 15:7; Job 36:26; Pr 8:25)3You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!”[2] (Ge 3:19; Ec 12:7)4For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. (Ex 14:24; Jud 7:19; Ps 39:5; 2Pe 3:8)5You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: (2Ki 19:26; Job 20:8; Ps 37:2; Ps 58:9; Ps 103:15; Isa 40:6; 1Pe 1:24)6in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. (Job 4:20; Job 14:2; Ps 92:7; Jas 1:11)7For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed.8You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. (Ps 19:12; Jer 16:17; Heb 4:13)9For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.10The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span[3] is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.11Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?12So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. (Ps 39:4)13Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants! (Ge 6:6; Ex 32:12; De 32:36; Jud 2:18; Ps 6:4; Ps 74:9; Ps 106:45; Ps 135:14; Jon 3:10)14Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. (Ps 46:5; Ps 85:6)15Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. (De 8:2)16Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. (De 32:4; Ps 77:12; Ps 92:4; Ps 95:9; Hab 3:2)17Let the favor[4] of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! (Ps 27:4; Ps 128:2; Isa 26:12)