² Before the mountains were born,
    before you gave birth to the earth and the world,
    from beginning to end, you are God.

³ You turn people back to dust, saying,
    “Return to dust, you mortals!”
⁴ For you, a thousand years are as a passing day,
    as brief as a few night hours.

¹² You will fold them up like a cloak
    and discard them like old clothing.
But you are always the same;
    you will live forever.”^[a]

²⁴ But I cried to him, “O my God, who lives forever,
    don’t take my life while I am so young!
²⁵ Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth
    and made the heavens with your hands.
²⁶ They will perish, but you remain forever;
    they will wear out like old clothing.
You will change them like a garment
    and discard them.
²⁷ But you are always the same;
    you will live forever.

¹² But you, O Lord, will sit on your throne forever.
    Your fame will endure to every generation.

²⁶ “Look, God is greater than we can understand.
    His years cannot be counted.