Once more my eyes behold the day

1 Once more my eyes behold the day,
And to my God my soul would pray
Its tributary lays:
O may the life preserv'd by thee,
With all its powers and blessings, be
Devoted to thy praise.

2 Beneath the shadow of thy wings,
Israel's great keeper, King of kings,
My weary head found rest:
No dire alarms or racking pains,
Devouring flames or galling chains,
Disturb'd my peaceful breast.

3 How many, since I laid me down,
Have launch'd into a world unknown,
To meet a dreadful doom:
While some on wat'ry billows tost,
Or wand'ring on an unknown coast,
Have sigh'd in vain for home.

4 But I am spar'd to see thy face,
A monument of saving grace,
And live to praise thy name:
Still be thou near, my gracious Lord,
To keep and guide, and by thy word
Peace to my soul proclaim.

5 Let me enjoy thy presence here,
In ev'ry storm my heart to cheer,
Till thou shalt bid me rise,
Where sin and sorrow never come,
Till at my blest eternal home
I wake in sweet surprise.

Source: Hymns, Selected and Original: for public and private worship (1st ed.) #611