Teach Us to Number Our Days

Verses 1–12 · the brevity and trouble of human life

1. ^{verse 1}Lord, You have been our dwelling place through all generations.
2. ^{verse 2}Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.
3. ^{verse 3}You return man to dust, saying, “Return, O sons of mortals.”
4. ^{verse 4}For in Your sight a thousand years are but a day that passes, or a watch of the night.
5. ^{verse 5}You sweep them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass of the morning—
6. ^{verse 6}in the morning it springs up new, but by evening it fades and withers.
7. ^{verse 7}For we are consumed by Your anger and terrified by Your wrath.
8. ^{verse 8}You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence.
9. ^{verse 9}For all our days decline in Your fury; we finish our years with a sigh.
10. ^{verse 10}The length of our days is seventy years — or eighty if we are strong — yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
11. ^{verse 11}Who knows the power of Your anger? Your wrath matches the fear You are due.
12. ^{verse 12}So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.

Verses 13–17 · a prayer for mercy, joy and lasting work

1. ^{verse 13}Return, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on Your servants.
2. ^{verse 14}Satisfy us in the morning with Your loving devotion, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
3. ^{verse 15}Make us glad for as many days as You have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen evil.
4. ^{verse 16}May Your work be shown to Your servants, and Your splendor to their children.
5. ^{verse 17}May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish for us the work of our hands— yes, establish the work of our hands!