8.8.8.8
James Montgomery
For the Children in a Charity School.
While saints and angels, glorious King,
Day without night Thy praises sing;
Thou wilt not humbler strains despise,
The songs of children reach the skies.
Amidst the whole creation's cares,
The meanest worm Thy bounty shares;
Thine eyes the depths of ocean see,
The grave itself hides not from Thee.
While want and hardships were our lot,
Thou knew'st us, though we knew Thee not;
Now we adore Thine hand that sends,
Our earthly comforts, home, and friends.
With these Thy heavenly gifts afford,
Thy Son, Thy Spirit, and Thy Word: --
Thy Word to teach our wayward youth,
Thy pure commandments, God of truth! --
Thy Spirit to dispel the night
Of sin and error, God of light! --
Thy Son, to raise our minds above
This world's affections, God of love!
For all the good Thy grace imparts,
What shall we give Thee? -- take our hearts:
O seal them by Thy power divine,
In life, in death, for ever Thine.