WHEN ALL THY MERCIES, O MY GOD
"The Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort." 2 Corinthians 1:3
Words: Joseph Addison, The Spectator, 1712.
Music: "Tallis' Ordinal," Thomas Tallis, circa 1567.
Alternate tunes: * "St. Peter," Alexander Robert Reinagle, 1836.
* "Contemplation," Frederic Arthur Gore-Ouseley.
When all Thy mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view, I'm lost
In wonder, love and praise.
Unnumbered comforts to my soul
Thy tender care bestowed,
Before my infant heart conceived
From Whom those comforts flowed.
When in the slippery paths of youth
With heedless steps I ran,
Thine arm unseen conveyed me safe,
And led me up to man.
Through every period of my life
Thy goodness I'll pursue
And after death, in distant worlds,
The glorious theme renew.
O how shall words with equal warmth
The gratitude declare,
That glows within my ravished heart?
But thou canst read it there.
Ten thousand thousand precious gifts
My daily thanks employ;
Nor is the last a cheerful heart
That tastes those gifts with joy.
When worn with sickness, oft hast Thou
With health renewed my face;
And, when in sins and sorrows sunk,
Revived my soul with grace.
When nature fails, and day and night
Divide Thy works no more,
My ever grateful heart, O Lord,
Thy mercy shall adore.
Through all eternity to Thee
A joyful song I'll raise;
For, oh, eternity's too short
To utter all Thy praise!