7 Be this, and every future day,
Still wiser than the past;
That, from the whole of life's survey,
I may find
peace at last.
HYMN XCIV. L.M.
The same subject.
1 Awake, my soul! and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise
To pay thy morning sacrifice.
2 By influence of the light divine,
Let thine own light to others shine;
Reflect all heaven's propitious rays,
In ardent love and cheerful praise.
3 Lord! I my vows to thee renew ;
Scatter my sins as morning dew;
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And, with thyself, my spirit fill.
4 Direct, control, suggest, this day,
All I design, or do, or say;
That all my powers, with all their might, In thy sole glory may unite.
5 All praise to thee, who safe hast kept, And hast refresh'd me while I slept ; Grant, Lord! when I from death shall wake may of endless life partake.
HYMN XCV. C. M.
The same subject.
1 Once more, my soul, the rising day
Salutes thy waking eyes;
Once more, my voice, thy tribute pay,
To him who rules the skies.
2 Night unto night his name repeats,
The day renews the sound,
Wide as the heavens on which he sits,
To turn the seasons round.
3 'Tis he supports my mortal frame,
My tongue shall speak his praise ;
My sins would rouse his wrath to flame,
And yet his wrath delays.
4 On us, poor worms, his power might tread,
And we could ne'er withstand;
His justice might have crush'd us dead,
But mercy held his hand.
5 How many thousand souls have fled
Since the last setting sun,
And yet he lengthens out our thread,
And yet our moments run.
6 Great God! let all our hours be thine, Whilst we enjoy the light;
Then shall our sun in smiles decline,
And bring a peaceful night.
1 Awake, my heart, and sing the praise
Of God, the guardian of my days;
The Lord of worlds, the source of good,
Who gave me life and sends me food.
2 When darkness veil'd the earth in shade,
Father, on thee my trust was laid ;
I slept; and thy paternal arm
Preserved me safe from death and harm.
3 A sacrifice to thee belongs;
For incense, lo! my prayers and songs;
Thou know'st, if vows sincerely spring;
No better gifts have I to bring.
4 Forgive my sins; my actions bless;
Imbue my thoughts with holiness;
And be my heart thy dwelling place,
Till I shall see thee face to face.
1 In sleep's serene oblivion laid,
I safely pass'd the silent night;
Again I see the breaking shade,
Again behold the morning light.
2 New-born, I bless the waking hour
Once more, with awe, rejoice to be;
My conscious soul resumes her power,
And soars, my guardian God! to thee.
3 O guide me through the various maze
My doubtful feet are doom'd to tread ;
And spread thy shield's protecting blaze,
Where dangers press around my head!
4 A deeper shade shall soon impend,
A deeper sleep mine eyes oppress;
Yet then thy strength shall still defend,
Thy goodness still delight to bless.
5 That deeper shade shall break away;
That deeper sleep shall leave my eyes;
Thy light shall give eternal day;
Thy love, the rapture of the skies.
1 Glory to thee, my God! this night,
For all the blessings of the light;
Keep me, O keep me, King of kings!
Beneath thine own almighty wings!
2 Forgive me, Lord! through thy dear Son,
The ill that I this day have done,
That with the world, myself, and thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.
3 O may my soul on thee repose,
And with sweet sleep mine eyelids close!
Sleep that shall me more vig'rous make
To serve my God when I awake.
4 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!
Praise him, all creatures here below!
Praise him above, ye heavenly choir!
O may his praise my soul inspire!
1 Heavenly Father! gracious name!
Night and day thy love the same!
Far be each suspicious thought,
Every anxious care forgot.
2 Thou, my ever-bounteous God!
Crown'st my days with various good.
Thy kind eye, which cannot sleep,
My defenceless hours shall keep.
3 What if death my sleep invade?
Should I be of death afraid?
While encircled by thine arm,
Death may strike, but cannot harm.
4 With thy heavenly presence blest,
Death is life, and labour rest.
Welcome sleep or death to me,
Still secure, for still with thee!
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