Hymns and Spiritual Songs, in Three Books ‎#II.LVIII

II.LVIII. The shortness of life, and the goodness of God

1 Time! what an empty vapour ’tis!
And days, how swift they are!
Swift as an Indian arrow flies,
Or like a shooting star.

2 [The present moments just appear,
Then slide away in haste,
That we can never say, “They’re here;”
But only say “They’re past.”]

3 [Our life is ever on the wing,
And death is ever nigh;
The moment when our lives begin,
We all begin to die.]

4 Yet, mighty God! our fleeting days
Thy lasting favours share;
Yet with the bounties of thy grace,
Thou load’st the rolling year.

5 ’Tis sovereign mercy finds us food,
And we are cloth'd with love:
While grace stands pointing out the road,
That leads our souls above.

6 His goodness runs an endless round;
All glory to the Lord!
His mercy never knows a bound;
And be his name ador'd!

7 Thus we begin the lasting song;
And, when we close our eyes,
Let the next age thy praise prolong.
Till time and nature dies.

Text Information

• First Line: Time! what an empty vapour 'tis!
• Title: The shortness of life, and the goodness of God
• Meter: C. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1793
• Notes: Now Public Domain.

Tune Information

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