THE SHORTNESS OF HUMAN LIFE. I THEE We adore, eternal GOD! II Our wasting life grows shorter still, III The year rolls round, and steals away The breath, which first it gave; Where'er we are, whate'er we do, We're trav'ling to the grave. IV Dangers stand thick through all the road, V Let us then rouse our active pow'rs, LORD! what a feeble frame is ours! How frail are all our boasted powers! II Swift as the feather'd arrow flies, So pass our fleeting years away, IV Oh! make us truly wise to learn That we may mind our grand concern, V May think of death, and learn to die To all inferior things; Our constant thoughts still soaring, fly Tow'rds life's eternal springs. TEACH US the measure of our days, II How short the span that we can boast! III See the vain race of mortals move IV What should we wish or wait for, then, From creatures, earth, and dust? They make our expectations vain, And disappoint our trust. V Let us return to better things, Our weak desires recall; Rise above earth on hope's strong wings, And make our GOD, our all. SHORTNESS AND UNCERTAINTY OF LIFE. I TO-MORROW, LORD! is thine, II The present moment flies, III Since on this winged hour Waken, by thine almighty pow'r, IV This, LORD! demands our care; Lest, slighted once, the season fair EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY TREASURES COMPARED. I ALL mortal joys, how soon they fade! II Soon are those earthly treasures lost But there are joys which cannot die, IV The feeds, which piety and love In the fair fertile fields above To ample harvests grow. |