Praise of God

In the beginning, Lord, unformed were we,
And from the fear of non-existence free ;
Then, bound in chains of water and of clay,
Thy fiat called us to the light of day.
From helpless childhood by Thy grace released,
Our knowledge grew and ignorance decreased.
Thy mercy sent the Scripture’s blessed light.
With clear commands to guide our steps aright.
We, failing yet to know Thy sovereign will.
Fail or exceed, confounding good and ill.
From our allegiance, Lord, we err and stray,
Forget Thy holy laws or disobey.
Yet spite of sin, spite of rebellious pride,
Thy light is not withdrawn, Thy grace denied.
But ah ! what boots it, when our hearts are dead
To earnest effort, that Thy light is shed ?
O ive us Thy grace — hear our dull hearts complain —
Thy grace to toil, nor let that toil be vain.
When sage and idiot perish in the pool,
How is the sage more happy than the fool ?
Ne’er may the guiles of sensual joy impede
Our forward course in virtuous thought and deed.
Let Thy sweet mercy from this world of woes
Some path of safety to our feet disclose.
Still to the ways of faith conduct Thine own,
And lead us with Thee to Thy glorious throne.