Hymnal: A Selection of Christian Hymns
Date: 1818
Compiler: Rice Haggard
Publisher/Printer: John Norvell
First Line: Lord thou hast been thy children's God
Topic: God Perfect
Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>
Composer:
Meter: LM
Tune:
Hymn Number: 219
Page Number: 208, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsLord, thou hast been thy children's God,
All-powerful, wise, and good, and just,
In every age their safe abode,
Their hope, their refuge, and their trust.
Before thy word gave nature birth,
Or spread the starry heavens abroad,
Or form'd the varied face of earth,
From everlasting thou art God.
Great father of eternity,
How short are ages in thy sight!
A thousand years how swift they fly,
Like one short silent watch of night!
Uncertain life, how soon it flies!
Dream of an hour, how short our bloom!
Like spring's gay verdure now we rise,
Cut down ere night to fill the tomb.
Teach us to count our short'ning days,
And with true diligence apply
Our hearts to wisdom's sacred ways,
That we may learn to live and die.
O make our sacred pleasures rise
In sweet proportion to our pains,
'Till e'en the sad rememb'rance dies,
Nor one uneasy thought complains.
(Let thy almighty work appear
With power and evidence divine;
And may the bliss thy servants share,
Continued to thy children shine!
Thy glorious image fair imprest,
Let all our heart and lives declare;
Beneath thy kind protection blest,
May all our labours own thy care!)