You help make Hymnary.org possible.

In 2025, more than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources, and encouragement here. If Hymnary has meant something to you this year, would you take a moment to help sustain it? A gift of any size — and a note of encouragement, if you'd like to share one — directly supports the server costs, research, and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org (c/o Calvin University)
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for being part of this important online ministry resource.

Click here to donate to Hymnary.org I have already donated. Please don't show this to me again
Text:A New Year’s Message
Author:Anon.
Tune:[I asked the New Year for some motto sweet]
Composer:May Whittle Moody

226. A New Year’s Message

1 I asked the New Year for some motto sweet,
Some rule of life with which to guide my feet;
I asked and paused; he answered soft and low,
“God’s will, God’s will to know,
God’s will to know.”

2 “Will knowledge then suffice, New Year?” I cried;
And ere the question into silence died,
The answer came, “Nay, but remember, too,
God’s will, God’s will to do,
God’s will to do.”

3 Once more I asked, “Is there no more to tell?”
And once again the answer sweetly fell:
“Yes, this one thing, all other things above,
God’s will, God’s will to love,
God’s will to love.”

Text Information
First Line: I asked the New Year for some motto sweet
Title: A New Year’s Message
Author: Anon.
Publication Date: 1906
Topic: New Year
Notes: Public Domain.
Tune Information
Name: [I asked the New Year for some motto sweet]
Composer: May Whittle Moody (1898)
Notes: Public Domain.



Media
MIDI file: MIDI
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.