212 O God, our help in ages past,

1 O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home! 2 Under the shadow of Thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; Sufficient is Thine arm alone, And our defense is sure. 3 Before the hills in order stood, Or earth received her frame, From everlasting Thou art God, To endless years the same. 4 A thousand ages in Thy sight Are like an evening gone; Short as the watch that ends the night, Before the rising sun. 5 Time, like an ever rolling stream, Bears all its sons away; They fly, forgotten, as a dream Dies at the opening day. 6 O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come! Be Thou our guard while life shall last, And our eternal home.