1
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
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 defence is sure.
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defence is sure.
3
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
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.
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.
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.
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last,
And our eternal home.
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Detroit, MI, United States
This song is a paraphrase of Psalm 90 by Moses. It seems Moses wrote it when he was ready to depart this world.
Orthodox Jewish publications also use Watt's hymn [i.e. "Pentateuch & Haftorahs" pub. by Socino Press].
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Except for 12 psalms which he felt were unsuited for Christian usage, Watts paraphrased in song the entire book of Psalms in "The Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of the New Testament" published in 1719.
This hymn was sung at Winston Churchill's funeral.
It is the University Anthem of the University of California, Berkeley and of many other colleges. Stanza 5 above is quoted in many secular books. - Wikipedia
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The 1st and last stanzas, 1st line, originally says "Our God". John Wesley changed it to "O God" in his hymnal "Psalms and Hymns" in 1738. Both versions are in current usage. - Wikipedia
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Last stanza, 3rd line originally says:
Be Thou our guard while troubles last,
(The alternate "while life shall last" was in the Lutheran hymnal in 1814. -hymnary.org)
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There are additional stanzas that are usually omitted:
3b Thy Word commands our flesh to dust,
“Return, ye sons of men:”
All nations rose from earth at first,
And turn to earth again.
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4b The busy tribes of flesh and blood,
With all their lives and cares,
Are carried downwards by the flood,
And lost in following years
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5b Like flowery fields the nations stand
Pleased with the morning light;
The flowers beneath the mower’s hand
Lie withering ere ‘tis night.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
This is indeed a great hymn for ages past, present and in future.
Caxias, RJ, Brazil
This Hymn sure brings peace and comfort to our souls. Glory to the Lord!
Mclean, VA, United States
Franklin D. Roosevelt choose this hymn to be sung at the church service the morning of his first inauguration as the 32nd President of the United States. He knew he would need God's help as he undertook the enormous task of leading this country. In fact, he would eventually face the most terrible of wars during his time as President. This great hymn expresses so much about our dear Savior and Lord. Indeed, "Under the shadow of Thy throne Thy saint have dwelt secure!"
Lagos, Nigeria
This is the summary of who God is to me. Beyond the colours of religion and denominations, God is our eternal strength and anchor. I live within the boundaries of this hymn, the past, the present and the sure future.
Lagos, Nigeria
Issac Watts sure had a depth of understanding of the highly invaluable nature of that thing called Time! Someone has said life is not lost by dying. Life is lost minute by minute, day by dragging day, in all the thousand uncaring way. May the good Lord give us all an understanding of the invaluable potentials of that singular gift He has given to to all earth comers in equal amount irrespective of their family, pedigree or the color of their skin.
Port Saint Lucie, Florida, United States
This song refreshes my spirit at the end of every year and gives me new hope for the year ahead. We need Our God every second, minute, hour, day, week, month year, decades, generation and century.
Be with us O Lord we pray.
Dublin Ireland & Ibadan Nigeria, Dublin & Ibadan, Ireland
Remembering my Father Chief Joseph Oduola Ogunniran, my brother John Olaleka Ogunniran and my uncle Dr Christopher Olaseinde Adeoye, the three people that shaped my life, may their souls rest in peace, they all loved this song.
Lagos, Nigeria
Our God in ages past is my favourite song.
Umuahia, Abia, Nigeria
“LORD, YOU have been my dwelling place throughout all generations and will always be. Without YOU, I am helpless."