1 If God succeed not, all the cost
And pains to build the house are lost,
If God the city will not keep,
The watchful guards as well may sleep.
2 What though we rise before the sun,
And work and toil when day is done,
Careful and sparing eat our bread,
To shun that poverty we dread;
3 'Tis all in vain, till God hath blest,
He can make rich, yet give us rest,
On God, our sovereign, still depends
Our joy in children and in friends.
4 Happy the man to whom he sends
Obedient children, faithful friends!
How sweet our daily comforts prove
When they are season'd with his love!