61 O God, the Rock of Ages

1 O God, the Rock of Ages, Who evermore hast been, What time the tempest rages, Our dwelling-place serene: Before Thy first creations, O Lord, the same as now, To endless generations The Everlasting, Thou! 2 Our years are like the shadows On sunny hills that lie, Or grasses in the meadows That blossom but to die: A sleep, a dream, a story By strangers quickly told, An unremaining glory Of things that soon are old. 3 O Thou, who canst not slumber, Whose light grows never pale, Teach us aright to number Our years before they fail; On us Thy mercy lighten, On us Thy goodness rest, And let Thy Spirit brighten The hearts Thyself hast blessed. 4 Lord, crown our faith's endeavor With beauty and with grace, Till, clothed in light forever, We see Thee face to face; A joy no language measures, A fountain brimming o'er, An endless flow of pleasures, An ocean without shore.