Our God, Our Help in Ages Past

Our God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home;

Beneath the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is Thy arm alone,
and our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting Thou hath God,
to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in Thy sight
are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever rolling stream,
bears all his sons away;
they fly forgotten as a dream
dies at the opening day.

Our God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
be Thou our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home.

Isaac Watts, 1974-1748