Lord, you have been our refuge

  from generation to generation.

Before the mountains were born,

  before earth and heaven were conceived,

  from all time to all time, you are God.

You turn men into dust,

  you say to them “go back, children of men.”

A thousand years in your sight

  are like yesterday, that has passed;

  like a short watch in the night.

When you take them away, they will be nothing but a dream;

  like the grass that sprouts in the morning:

in the morning it grows and flowers,

  in the evening it withers and dries.

For we are made weak by your anger,

  thrown into confusion by your wrath.

You have gazed upon our transgressions;

  the light of your face illuminates our secrets.

All our days vanish in your anger,

  we use up our years in a single breath.

Seventy years are what we have,

  or eighty for the stronger ones;

and most of that is labour and sadness –

  quickly they pass, and we are gone.

Who can comprehend the power of your wrath?

  Who can behold the violence of your anger?

Teach us to reckon our days like this,

  so that our hearts may be led at last to wisdom.

Turn to us, Lord, how long must we wait?

  Let your servants call on you and be answered.

Fill us with your kindness in the morning,

  and we shall rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.

Give us joy for as long as you afflicted us,

  for all the years when we suffered.

Let your servants see your great works,

  and let their children see your glory.

Let the glory of the Lord God be upon us:

  make firm the work of your hands.

  Make firm the work of your hands.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

  and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

  is now, and ever shall be,

  world without end.

Amen.