1 My inmost heart now raises,
In this fair morning hour,
A song of thankful praises
To Thine almighty power.
O God, upon Thy throne!
To honor and adore Thee,
I bring my praise before Thee,
Through Christ, Thine only Son.
2 For Thou from me hast warded
All perils of the night;
From every harm hast guarded
My soul till morning's light:
Humbly to Thee I cry,
O Savior, have compassion,
And pardon my transgression;
Have mercy, Lord most high!
3 And shield me from all evil,
O gracious God, this day,
From sin, and from the Devil,
From shame and from dismay,
From fire's consuming breath,
From water's devastation,
From need and consternation,
From evil, sudden death.
4 My life, my soul--defend them!
My wife, child, goods, and home,--
to Thy hand I commend them,
From Thee these blessings come;
Thy bounteous hand bestows
My household and my treasures,
My parents, friends, and pleasures;
My cup with good o'erflows.
5 Let not Thine angel leave me,
While here on earth I stay,
Lest Satan's arts deceive me,
And lead my soul astray!
Then keep Thine angel near
At night and each new morrow,
Lest soul and body sorrow,
And faltering cost me dear.
6 God shall do my advising,
Whose might with wisdom blends;
May He bless rest and rising,
My efforts, means, and ends!
To God, forever blessed,
Will I with mine confide me,
And suffer Him to guide me
As seemeth to Him best.
7 Amen! I say, not fearing
That God rejects my prayer;
I doubt not He is hearing
And granting me His care.
So I put forth my hands,
And look not long behind me,
But ply the task assigned me
By God, as He commands.