54. A New Year's Thought and Prayer

1 Time by moments steals away,
First the hour, and then the day,
Small the daily loss appears,
Yet it soon amounts to years;
Thus another year is flown,
Now it is no more our own;
If it brought or promis'd good,
Than the years before the flood.

2 But (may none of us forget)
It has left us much in debt;
Favours from the Lord receiv'd
Sins that have his spirit griev'd,
Mark'd by an unerring hand,
In his book recorded stand;
Who can tell the vast amount,
Plac'd to each of our account?

3 Happy the believing soul!
Christ for you has paid the whole;
While you own the debt is large,
You may plead a full discharge;
But poor careless sinner, say,
What can you to justice pay?
Tremble, lest when life is past,
Into prison you be cast.

4 Will you still increase the score?
Still be careless as before;
Oh, forbid it, gracious Lord,
Touch their spirits by thy word,
Now in mercy to them show,
What a mighty debt they owe!
And their unbelief subdue,
Let them find forgiveness too.

5 Spar'd to see another year,
Let thy blessings meet us here;
Come, thy dying work revive,
Bid thy drooping garden thrive;
Sun of Righteousness arise!
Warm our hearts and bless our eyes!
Let our pray'r thy bowels move,
Make this year a time of love.

Text Information
First Line: Time by moments steals away
Title: A New Year's Thought and Prayer
Language: English
Publication Date: 1803
Tune Information
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