Lord, you have ever been our dwelling place.

Lord, you have ever been our dwelling place. Before you made the world of time and space, Before you made the mountains and the earth, You are eternal God; you gave them birth.

You turn all people back to dust and say, “O human race, to dust again decay.” Because a thousand years are in your sight Like yesterday or like a watch by night.

Into death’s sleep you sweep them all away, For they are like the grass at break of day— Although it springs up new with morning light, It dries and perishes before the night.

Your wrath consumes us; we are terrified. Before your gaze our sins we cannot hide. Under your anger all our days pass by; Our years come to their finish with a sigh.

Our years amount to seventy in length, Or even eighty if we have the strength. And yet our days in grief and pain are passed; They quickly end; away we fly at last.

The powèr of your anger who can know? Your wrath’s as great as is the fear we owe. Teach us to number all our days aright; So will our hearts be filled with wisdom’s light.

Return, O LORD! How long will you delay? Have mercy on your servants, LORD, we pray. O satisfy us with your love always, That we may sing, rejoicing all our days.

In place of our affliction, make us glad; Give joy for all the years you made us sad. To all your servants may your deeds be shown, And to their children make your glory known.

Now may the favour of Almighty God Abide on us—rich blessings of our Lord. Establish every work our hands have done; Yes, Lord, for us establish them each one.