358.
Thankfulness.
1
We thank thee, Lord of heaven and earth!
Who hast preserved us from our birth;
Redeemed us oft from death and dread,
And with thy gifts our table spread.
2
The fabric of this earthly frame
First from thy sovereign fiat came;
And, at thy word, the spangled sky
Proclaim'd thine own Infinity!
3
But though so high, the King of Kings!
Thou dost behold the meanest things!
Now guide the spheres that round us roll,
And now support the contrite soul!
4
We thank thee for thy still small voice,
Which oft has check'd our wayward choice;
For limbs preserved, for senses clear,
And for our friendships, doubly dear.
5
Thy Providence has been our stay,
When other helps were far away;
Our constant guide, through every stage,
From infancy to riper age.
6
How shall we half our task fulfil!
We thank thee for thy Mind and Will;
For present joys, and blessings past,
And for the hope of heaven at last.
7
With mercies in perpetual round,
Should aught but thankfulness be found?
And those who pace a flowery road,
Forget the hand that all bestow'd?
8
On every side, below, above,
All is stupendous power and love!
Alike, wheree'er we fix our eyes,
New thanks are claim'd, new wonders rise!
9
And shall we strangely turn away
To cold and night, from warmth and day?
Ponder on ills, and waste, unwise,
Our moments in rebellious sighs?
10
Shall we, mid countless gifts beside,
Behold some good, by heaven denied,
Nor let our grateful thanks prevail,
If, of the thousand, one should fail?
11
Oh! shall our tongues, in accents sweet,
To God, no song of praise repeat;
No incense from our hearts arise
For Christ, the One Great Sacrifice?
12
For benefits so rich and free,
What shall we render, Lord! to thee?
Let us begin this theme sublime,
Which will survive the wreck of time.
