A prayer of Moses, the man of God. 1O Lord, you have been our protector through all generations!

2Even before the mountains came into existence,

or you brought the world into being,

you were the eternal God.

3You make mankind return to the dust,

and say, “Return, O people!”

4Yes, in your eyes a thousand years

are like yesterday that quickly passes,

or like one of the divisions of the nighttime.

5You bring their lives to an end and they “fall asleep.”

In the morning they are like the grass that sprouts up;

6in the morning it glistens and sprouts up;

at evening time it withers and dries up.

7Yes, we are consumed by your anger;

we are terrified by your wrath.

8You are aware of our sins;

you even know about our hidden sins.

9Yes, throughout all our days we experience your raging fury;

the years of our lives pass quickly, like a sigh.

10The days of our lives add up to seventy years,

or eighty, if one is especially strong.

But even one’s best years are marred by trouble and oppression.

Yes, they pass quickly and we fly away.

11Who can really fathom the intensity of your anger?

Your raging fury causes people to fear you.

12So teach us to consider our mortality,

so that we might live wisely.

13Turn back toward us, O Lord!

How long must this suffering last?

Have pity on your servants!

14Satisfy us in the morning with your loyal love!

Then we will shout for joy and be happy all our days!

15Make us happy in proportion to the days you have afflicted us,

in proportion to the years we have experienced trouble!

16May your servants see your work!

May their sons see your majesty!

17May our sovereign God extend his favor to us!

Make our endeavors successful!

Yes, make them successful!