Hymnal: A Collection of Hymns and A Liturgy #410 (1814) Meter: 8.8.8.8 Topics: Particular Occasions and Circumstances New-Year Lyrics: 1 The God of our lives! thy constant care
With blessings crowns each op'ning year.
These lives, so frail, dost thou prolong,
And wake anew our annnual song.
2 How many precious souls are fled
To the dark regions of the dead,
Since, from this day, the changing sun
Through his last yearly course has run!
3 We yet survive: but who can say,
Or through the year, or month, or day,
I shall retain my vital breath,
Thus far at least in league with death?
4 That breath is thine, eternal God!
'Tis thine to fix the soul's abode.
We hold our lives from thee alone,
On earth, or in the world unknown.
5 To thee we all our pow'rs resign;
Make us and own us still as thine:
Then shall we smile, secure from fear,
Though death should blast the rising year.
6 Thy children, eager to be gone,
Bid time's impetuous tide roll on,
And land them on that blooming shore
Where years and death are known no more. Languages: English
God of our lives! thy constant care