Hymns for Today's Church (2nd ed.) ‎#37

37. O God, our help in ages past

1 O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:

2 Beneath the shadow of your throne
your people lived secure;
sufficient is your arm alone,
and our defence is sure.

3 Before the hills in order stood,
or earth from darkness came,
from everlasting you are God,
to endless years the same.

4 A thousand ages in your sight
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.

5 Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
will bear us all away;
we pass forgotten, as a dream
dies with the dawning day.

6 O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come
be our defence while life shall last,
and our eternal home!

Text Information

• First Line: O God, our help in ages past
• Author: I. Watts (1674-1748)
• Meter: 8 6 8 6 (CM)
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Psalm 90
• Topic: God, Father: Gracious and Merciful; Pentecost 18: The Offering of Life

Tune Information

• Name: ST. ANNE
• Composer (attributed to): W. Croft (1678-1727)
• Composer (descant) and Arranger: G. T. Shaw (1879-1943)
• Meter: 8 6 8 6 (CM)
• Key: C Major
• Source: A Supplement to the New Version 1708
• Copyright: desc. and arr. © Novello & Co Ltd
• Notes: Includes separate descant and arrangement for verse 6.