1 Eternal Father, God of grace, as generations come and go for ever you have been our home; before the mountains came to be, before the universe was born you are the Lord, you are our God From everlasting and for evermore. 2 You turn us back into the dust for in your sight a thousand years like yesterday are quickly gone; you sweep us up like withered grass, our secret sins are known to you, and in your light our loves are judged, so under sentence all our days decline. 3 Our span of life is seventy years, or eighty if we have the strength, but soon they pass and are no more; but who considers all your wrath? and who will feel a godly fear? so teach us how to count our days that we may gain a heart renewed and wise. 4 Return, we pray: O Lord, how long? And when you come, and morning breaks, O meet us with your steadfast love! Then we shall balance evil days with days of joy when we can see your favour shine upon our work, and let our children see your majesty!