Author: Watts Hymnal: A Collection of Evangelical Hymns #CLXXXIX (1793) Meter: 8.6.8.6 Hymnal Title: A Collection of Evangelical Hymns First Line: Teach me the measure of my days Lyrics: 1 Teach me the measure of my days,
Thou Maker of my frame!
I would survey life's narrow space,
And learn how frail I am.
2 A span is all that we can boast,
An inch or two of time;
Man is but vanity and dust,
In all his flow'r and prime.
3 See the vain race of mortals move,
Like shadows o'er the plain;
They rage and strive, desire and love,
But all the noise is vain.
4 Some walk in honour's gaudy show,
Some dig for golden ore;
They toil for heirs, they know not who,
And strait are seen no more.
5 What should I wish, or wait for then,
From creatures, earth, and dust?
They make our expectations vain,
And disappoint our trust.
6 Now I forbid my carnal hope,
My fond desires recall;
I give my mortal int'rest up,
And make my God my All. Topics: Time and Eternity Languages: English
Vanity of Life