5. When death shall interrupt our songs And seal in silence mortal tongues, Our Helper, God, in whom we trust, In better worlds our soul shall boast. Philip Doddridge, 1755. 168 7s For Thy mercy and Thy grace, Constant through another year, Hear our song of thankfulness; Jesus, our Redeemer, hear! 2. Lo! our sins on Thee we cast, Thee, our perfect Sacrifice, And, forgetting all the past, Press unto our glorious prize. 3. Dark the future; let Thy light Guide us, bright and Morning Star: Fierce our foes and hard the fight; Arm us, Savior, for the war. 4. In our weakness and distress, Rock of strength, be Thou our Stay; In the pathless wilderness Be our true and living Way. 5. Who of us death’s awful road In the coming year shall tread? With Thy rod and staff, O God, Comfort Thou his dying bed. 6. Keep us faithful, keep us pure, Keep us evermore Thine own; Help, O help us to endure; Fit us for the promised crown. 7. So within Thy palace gate We shall praise, on golden strings, Thee the only Potentate, Lord of lords and King of kings. H. Downton, 1841, a. 169 L. M. The new-born Child this early morn, The dear Christ-child, of virgin born, Again brings from His heavenly home A new year to all Christendom. 2. This causes joy to angels fair, Who love to keep us in their care; They sing that in this wondrous Child God now with man is reconciled. 3. Since God is reconciled with men, What harm can Satan do us, then? O’er Satan and the gates of hell This Christ-child shall for us prevail. 4. He brings the year of jubilee! Why doubt we yet despondently? Rejoice! This is a happy day; The Christ-child drives all care away. C. Schneegass, † 1597; E. Cronenwett, tr., a. 170 8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7 O Lord, our Father, thanks to Thee In this new year we render, For Thou hast been from misery And dangers our Defender; Through all the year that now has fled Hast given us life and daily bread And peace within our borders. 2. Lord Jesus Christ, our thanks to Thee In this new year we render, For Thou still rulest zealously Thy fold, with mercy tender; Thou hast redeemed us with Thy blood, Thou art our only Trust and Good, In life and death our Savior.