Now let us raise our voices, In prayer, and let rejoice us

1 Now let us raise our voices
In prayer, and let rejoice us
In God, who strength from heaven
Unto our life hath given.

2 The stream of years is flowing,
And we are onward going,
From old to new surviving,
And by His mercy thriving.

3 In woe we often languish,
And pass through times of anguish,
When fearful war aboundeth
And dread this earth surroundeth.

4 A faithful mother keepeth
Watch while her infant sleepeth,
And all its grief assuageth,
When angry tempest rageth:

5 Thus God His children shieldeth
And full protection yieldeth;
When need and woe distress them,
His loving arms caress them.

6 In vain is all our doing,
The labor we're pursuing
In our hands prospers never,
Unless God watcheth ever.

7 We praise Thy mercies gaily,
Which Thou renewest daily,
To Thee, our strong defender
From grief, our thanks we render.

8 O God of mercy, hear us;
Our Father, be Thou near us:
'Mid crosses and in sadness
Be Thou our fount of gladness.

9 To all that bow before Thee
And for Thy grace implore Thee,
Do grant Thy benediction,
And patience in affliction.

10 With richest blessings crown us,
In all our ways, Lord, own us;
Give grace, who grace bestowest,
To all, e'en to the lowest.

11 Of all forlorn be father,
Again the strayed sheep gather,
And of the poor and needy
Be Thou the succor speedy.

12 Grant help to all afflicted,
And to all souls dejected,
By melancholy haunted,
May cheerful thoughts be granted.

13 All earthly gifts excelling,
Thy Holy Ghost indwelling
Give us, to make us glorious
And lead to Thee victorious.

14 All this Thy hand bestoweth,
Thou, Life, whence our life floweth;
To me and all believers
Grant, Lord, these New-Year's favors.

Source: Hymn Book: for the use of Evangelical Lutheran schools and congregations #17