1 Almighty God, in humble prayer,
To Thee our souls we lift,
Do Thou our waiting minds prepare
For Thy most needful gift.

2 We ask not golden streams of wealth
Along our path to flow;
We ask not undecaying health,
Nor length of years below.

3 We ask not honors, which an hour
May bring and take away;
We ask not pleasure, pomp and power,
Lest we should go astray.

4 We ask for wisdom—Lord, impart
The knowledge how to live;
A wise and understanding heart
To all before Thee give.

5 For we, as children, born in sin,
Know not, till Thou has taught,
How to go out, or how come in,
By word, or deed, or thought.

6 The young remember Thee in youth,
Before the evil days!
The old be guided by Thy truth
In wisdom’s pleasant ways!