Author: Wiliam Cowper, 1731-1800 Meter: 8.6.8.6 Appears in 27 hymnals First Line: Hear, Lord, the song of praise and prayer Lyrics: 1 Hear, Lord, the song of praise and prayer,
In Heav’n Thy dwelling place,
From infants, made Thy constant care,
[originally, …made the public care]
And taught to seek Thy face!
2 Thanks for Thy Word, and for Thy day,
And grant us, we implore,
Never to waste in sinful play,
Thy holy Sabbaths more.
3 Thanks that we hear—but, Oh, impart,
To each desires sincere,
That we may listen with our heart,
And learn, as well as hear.
4 For if vain thoughts our minds engage,
Of elder far than we:
What hope that at our heedless age,
Our minds shall e’er be free?
5 Much hope, if Thou our spirits take
Under Thy gracious sway,
Who canst make the wisest wiser make
And babes as wise as they.
6 Wisdom and bliss Thy Word bestows,
A sun that ne’er declines;
And be Thy mercies showered on those
Who placed us where it shines. Used With Tune: GARDINER Text Sources: Divine Hymns Attempted in Easy Language for the Use of Children by Rowland Hill (Aldermanbury, London: T. Wilkins, 1790)
Hear Lord, The Song Of Praise And Prayer