| Now from the altar of my heartLet incense flames arise;
 Assist me, Lord, to offer up
 Mine evening sacrifice.
 Awake, my love! Awake, my joy!Awake, my heart and tongue!
 Sleep not: when mercies loudly call,
 Break forth into a song.
 This day God was my Sun and Shield,My Keeper and my Guide;
 His care was on my frailty shown,
 His mercies multiplied.
 Minutes and mercies multipliedHave made up all this day;
 Minutes came quick but mercies were
 More fleet and free than they.
 New time, new favor, and new joysDo a new song require;
 Till I shall praise Thee as I would,
 Accept my heart’s desire.
 Man’s life’s a book of history,The leaves thereof are days,
 The letters mercies closely joined,
 The title is Thy praise.
 Lord of my time, whose hand hath setNew time upon my score,
 Then I shall praise for all my time,
 When time shall be no more.
 |