HYMN 58. (C. M.) The Shortness of Life, and the Goodness of God.
I
Time! what an empty vapour 'tis!
And days how swift they are!
Swift as an Indian arrow flies,
Or like a shooting star.
II
The present moments just appear,
Then slide away in haste,
That we can never say, ‘They're here,’
But only say, ‘They're past.’
III
Our life is ever on the wing,
And death is ever nigh;
The moment when our lives begin
We all begin to die.
IV
Yet, mighty God, our fleeting days
Thy lasting favours share,
Yet with the bounties of thy grace
Thou load'st the rolling year.
V
'Tis sovereign mercy finds us food,
And we are cloth'd with love;
While grace stands pointing out the road,
That leads our souls above.
VI
His goodness runs an endless round;
All glory to the Lord:
His mercy never knows a bound,
And be his name ador'd!
VII
Thus we begin the lasting song,
And when we close our eyes,
Let the next age thy praise prolong
Till time and nature dies.
