OH GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST

O God, our help in ages past
Our hope for years to come
Our shelter from the stormy blast
And our eternal home.
Under the shadow of thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure
Sufficient is thine arm alone
And our defence is sure.

Before the hills in order stood
Or earth received her frame
From everlasting thou art God
To endless years the same.

A thousand ages in thy sight
Are like an evening gone
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

Time is like an ever-rolling stream
Bears all its sons away
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

O God our help in ages past
Our hope for years to come
Be thou our guard while troubles last
And our eternal home.

A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevaling. For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabbaoth, his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us. The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; the Spirit and the gifts are ours, thru him who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever.