A Song of Praise for the Evening

NOW from the Altar of my Heart,
Let Incense Flames arise;
Assist me, Lord, to offer up
Mine Evening Sacrifice:
Awake, my Love; Awake, my Joy;
Awake my Heart and Tongue,
Sleep not when Mercies loudly call;
Break forth into a Song.

Man's Life's a Book of History,
The Leaves thereof are Days;
The Letters Mercies closely Joyn'd,
The Title is thy Praise:
This day God was my Sun and Shield,
My keeper and my Guide;
His care was on my Frailty shewn,
His Mercies multiply'd.

Minutes and Mercies multiply'd,
Have made up all this day;
Minutes came quick, but Mercies were
More Fleet and Free than they:
New time, new Favours, and new Joys,
Do a new Song require;
Till I shall praise Thee as I would,
Accept my Hearts desire.

Lord of my Time, whose Hand hath Set,
New Time upon my Score;
Then shall I praise for all my Time,
When Time shall be no more.