7. Like flowery fields the nations stand, Pleased with the morning light; The flowers beneath the mower’s hand Lie withering ere ’tis night. 8. O 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, 1719. 173 L. M. The old year now hath passed away, We thank Thee, Christ, our Lord, to-day That Thou hast kept us through the year When danger and distress were near. 2. We pray Thee, O eternal Son, Who with the Father reign’st as one, To guard and rule Thy Christendom Through all the ages yet to come. 3. Take not Thy saving Word away, Our souls’ true comfort, staff, and stay; Abide with us and keep us free From all false doctrines graciously. 4. O help us to forsake all sin, A new and holier course begin; From last year’s sins, Lord, hide Thy face, In this new year grant us Thy grace, 5. That as true Christians we may live Or die in peace that Thou wilt give, To rise again when Thou shalt come, And enter our eternal home. J. Steuerlein, 1588; C. Winkworth, tr., a. 174 7s Now let us come before Him, With songs and prayers adore Him, Who to our life from heaven All needed strength hath given. 2. The stream of years is flowing, And we are onward going, From old to new surviving, And by His mercy thriving. 3. In woe we often languish And pass through times of anguish, Of wars and trepidation, Alarming every nation. 4. A faithful mother keepeth Guard while her infant sleepeth, Its fear and grief assuaging When angry storms are raging. 5. Thus God His children shieldeth And full protection yieldeth; When need and woe distress them, His loving arms caress them. 6. In vain is all our doing; The labor we’re pursuing In our hands prospers never Unless God watches ever. 7. Our song to Thee ascendeth, Whose mercy never endeth; Our thanks to Thee we render, Who art our strong Defender. 8. O God of mercy, hear us; Our Father, be Thou near us; Mid crosses and in sadness Be Thou our Fount of gladness. 9. To all that bow before Thee And for Thy grace implore Thee, O grant Thy benediction And patience in affliction. 10. With richest blessings crown us. In all our ways, Lord, own us; Give grace, who grace bestowest To all, e’en to the lowest. 11. To all forlorn be Father, Thy erring children gather, And of the poor and needy Be Thou the Helper speedy.