1 Lord, you have been our refuge ♦
from one generation to another.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
or the earth and the world were formed, ♦
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
3 You turn us back to dust and say: ♦
‘Turn back, O children of earth.’
4 For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday, ♦
which passes like a watch in the night.
5 You sweep them away like a dream; ♦
they fade away suddenly like the grass.
6 In the morning it is green and flourishes; ♦
in the evening it is dried up and withered.
7 For we consume away in your displeasure; ♦
we are afraid at your wrathful indignation.
8 You have set our misdeeds before you ♦
and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
9 When you are angry, all our days are gone; ♦
our years come to an end like a sigh.
10 The days of our life are three score years and ten,
or if our strength endures, even four score; ♦
yet the sum of them is but labour and sorrow,
for they soon pass away and we are gone.
11 Who regards the power of your wrath ♦
and your indignation like those who fear you?
12 So teach us to number our days ♦
that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
13 Turn again, O Lord; how long will you delay? ♦
Have compassion on your servants.
14 Satisfy us with your loving-kindness in the morning, ♦
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Give us gladness for the days you have afflicted us, ♦
and for the years in which we have seen adversity.
16 Show your servants your works, ♦
and let your glory be over their children.
17 May the gracious favour of the Lord our God be upon us; ♦
prosper our handiwork; O prosper the work of our hands.
Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing.
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