O God, the rock of ages, Who evermore hast been, What time the tempest rages, Our dwelling place serene: Before Thy first creations, O Lord, the same as now, To endless generations, The everlasting Thou.
Our years are like the shadows On sunny hills that lie, Or grasses in the meadows That blossom but to die; A sleep, a dream, a story By strangers quickly told An unremaining glory Of things that soon are old.
O Thou, who dost not slumber, Whose light grows never pale, Teach us aright to number Our years before they fail; On us Thy mercy lighten, On us Thy goodness rest, And let Thy Spirit brighten The hearts Thyself hast blessed.
Lord, crown our faith’s endeavor With beauty and with grace, Till, clothed in light forever, We see Thee face to face: A joy no language measures, A fountain brimming o’er, An endless flow of pleasures, An ocean without shore. Amen.