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!

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.

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.

Lord, crown our faith's endeavour With beauty and with grace, Till, clothed in light forever, We see Thee face to face; A joy to language measures, A fountain brimming o'er And endless flow of pleasures; An ocean without shore.