Thanks for being a Hymnary.org user. You are one of more than 10 million people from 200-plus countries around the world who have benefitted from the Hymnary website in 2024! If you feel moved to support our work today with a gift of any amount and a word of encouragement, we would be grateful.

You can donate online at our secure giving site.

Or, if you'd like to make a gift by check, please make it out to CCEL and mail it to:
Christian Classics Ethereal Library, 3201 Burton Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
And may the promise of Advent be yours this day and always.

CCLXVII. Old Age approaching, or, man frail and mortal

1 Eternal God! enthron'd on high!
Whom angel-hosts adore;
Who yet to suppliant dust art nigh,
thy presence I implore.

2 O guide me down the steep of age,
And keep my passions cool;
Teach me to scan the sacred page,
And practice every rule.

3 My flying years time urges on,
What's human must decay;
My friends, my young companions gone,
Can I expect to stay?

4 Can I exemption plead, when death
Projects his awful dart?
Can med'cines then prolong my breath,
Or virtue shield my heart?

5 Ah! no--then smooth the mortal hour,
On thee my hope depends;
Support me with almighty power,
While dust to dust descends.

6 Then shall my soul, O gracious God!
(While angels join the lay)
Admitted to the bless'd abode,
Its endless anthems pay.

7 Through heav'n, howe'er remote the bound,
Thy matchless love proclaim,
And join the choir of saints that sound
Their great Redeemer's name.

Text Information
First Line: Eternal God! enthron'd on high!
Title: Old Age approaching, or, man frail and mortal
Meter: C. M.
Language: English
Publication Date: 1799
Topic: Man: His frailty; Man: His mortality; Old age: approaching
Tune Information
(No tune information)



Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.