1 It is the Lord our Saviour's hand
Weakens our strength amidst the race;
Disease and death at his command
Arrest us, and cut short our days.
2 Spare us, O Lord, aloud we pray,
Nor let our sun go down at noon;
Thy years are one eternal day,
And must thy children die so soon?
3 Yet in the midst of death and grief
This thought our sorrow should assuage:
"Our Father and our Saviour live;
"Christ is the same through every age."
4 'Twas he this earth's foundation laid;
Heaven is the building of his hand;
This earth grows old, these heavens shall fade;
And all be changed at his command.
5 The starry curtains of the sky,
Like garments, shall be laid aside;
But still thy throne stands firm on high;
Thy church forever must abide.
6 Before thy face thy church shall live;
And on thy throne thy children reign;
This dying world shall they survive,
And the dead saints be rais'd again.