Hymnal: The Christian Hymn-Book
Date: 1829
Compiler: B W Stone and T Adams
Publisher/Printer: N L Finnell
First Line: Teach me the measure of my days
Topic: The Christian
Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>
Composer:
Meter: CM
Tune:
Hymn Number: 216
Page Number: 240, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsTeach me the measure of my days,
Thou maker of my frame;
I would survey life's narrow space,
And learn how frail I am.
A span is all that we can boast,
An inch or two of time;
Man is but vanity and dust,
In all his flower and prime.
See the vain race of mortals, move
Like shadows o'er the plain;
They rage and strive, desire and love,
But all their noise is vain.
Some walk in honor's gaudy show,
Some dig for golden ore,
They toil for heirs, they know not who,
And straight are seen no more.
What should I wish or wait for, then,
From creatures, earth and dust
They make our expectations vain,
And disappoint our trust.
Now I forbid my carnal hope!
My fond desires recall,
I give my mortal interest up,
And make my God my all.