1 O Lord, by thy supporting hand,
We enter on another year;
And now we meet at thy command,
To seek thy gracious presence here.
2 Have mercy on our numerous youth,
Who young in years are old in sin;
and by thy spirit and thy truth,
Show them the state their souls are in.
3 Then, by a Savior's dying love
To every wounded heart revealed,
Temptations, fears, and guilt remove,
And be their sun, and strength, and shield.
4 To mourners speak a cheering word,
On seeking souls vouchsafe to shine;
Let poor backsliders be restored,
And all thy saints in praises join.
5 O hear our prayer and give us hope,
That when thy voice shall call us home,
Thou still wilt raise a people up,
To love and praise thee in our room.
The Hartford Selection of Hymns from the most approved authors, 1799