Hymns

God of my childhood and my youth

by Isaac Watts·1719·Meter 8.6.8.6 (CM)

Based on Ps 71:17-21

1

God of my childhood and my youth,
The guide of all my days,
I have declared thy heav'nly truth,
And told thy wondrous ways.

2

Wilt thou forsake my hoary hairs,
And leave my fainting heart?
Who shall sustain my sinking years,
If God my strength depart?

3

Let me thy power and truth proclaim
To the surviving age;
And leave a savor of thy name
When I shall quit the stage.

4

The land of silence and of death
Attends my next remove;
O may these poor remains of breath
Teach the wide world thy love!

5

Thy righteousness is deep and high,
Unsearchable thy deeds;
Thy glory spreads beyond the sky,
And all my praise exceeds.

6

Oft have I heard thy threat'nings roar,
And oft endured the grief;
But when thy hand has pressed me sore,
Thy grace was my relief.

7

By long experience have I known
Thy sovereign power to save;
At thy command I venture down
Securely to the grave.

8

When I lie buried deep in dust,
My flesh shall be thy care;
These withering limbs with thee I trust,
To raise them strong and fair.

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