Morning

1023

Morning

1 AWAKE, my soul, and with the sun, Thy daily stage of duty run, Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise, To pay thy morning sacrifice.

2 Thy precious time misspent, redeem, Each present day thy last esteem, Improve thy talent with due care, For the great day thyself prepare.

3 In conversation be sincere, Keep conscience, as the noontide, clear;

Think how all-seeing God thy ways, And all thy secret thoughts, surveys.

4 Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart, And with the angels bear thy part, Who all night long, unwearied, sing High praise to the Eternal King.

5 I wake, I wake, ye heavenly choir, May your devotion me inspire, That I, like you, my age may spend, Like you, may on my God attend.

6 May I, like you, in God delight, Have all day long my God in sight.

Perform, like you, my Maker's will;

Oh may I never more do ill!

7 Lord, I my vows to Thee renew, Disperse my sins as morning dew, Guard my first springs of thought and will, And with Thyself my spirit fill.

8 Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Thomas Ken, 1697

1024 A Hymn for Morning or Evening

1 HOSANNA, with a cheerful sound, To God's upholding band;

Ten thousand snares attend us round, And yet secure we stand.

2 That was a most amazing power That raised us with a word, And every day, and every hour, We lean upon the Lord.

3 The evening rests our wearied head, And angels guard the room, We wake, and we admire the bed That was not made our tomb.

4 The rising morning can't assure That we shall end the day; For death stands ready at the door To take our lives away.

5 Our breath is forfeited by sin To God's avenging law;

We own Thy grace, immortal King, In every gasp we draw.

6 God is our sun, whose daily light Our joy and safety brings; Our feeble flesh lies safe at night Beneath His shady wings.

Isaac Watts, 1709.

1025 Keep us, O Lord, this Day

1 NOW that the sun is beaming bright, Once more to God we pray, That He, the uncreated Light, May guide our souls this day.

2 No sinful word, nor deed of wrong, Nor thoughts that idly rove; But simple truth be on our tongue, And in our hearts be love.

3 And while the hours in order flow, O Christ, securely fence Our gates beleaguer'd by the foe, The gate of every sense.

4 And grant that to Thine honour, Lord, Our daily toil may tend; That we begin it at Thy word, And in Thy favour end.

St. Ambrose, Fourth Century;

Hymns for Public and Private Use, 1847.

1026

Thanks.

1 LORD, for the mercies of the night, My humble thanks, I pay; And unto Thee I dedicate The first-fruits of the day.

2 Let this day praise Thee, O my God, And so let all my days; And oh let mine eternal day Be Thine eternal praise!

John Mason, 1683