The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Psalm 90:10
Words: Henry Downton, 1851. Appeared in The Book of Praise, edited by Roundell Palmer (London & Cambridge, England: MacMillan, 1862), number 276. Note: The 1898 reprint of The Book of Praise gives the authorship year as 1848.
Music: Everton Henry T. Smart, in Psalms and Hymns, 1867 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Downton (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Harp, awake! tell out the story
Of our love and joy and praise;
Lute, awake! awake our glory!
Join a thankful song to raise!
Join we, brethren faithful-hearted,
Lift the solemn voice again
O’er another year departed
Of our threescore years and ten!
Lo! a theme for deepest sadness,
In ourselves with sin defiled;
Lo! a theme for holiest gladness,
In our Father reconciled!
In the dust we bend before Thee,
Lord of sinless hosts above;
Yet in lowliest joy adore Thee,
God of mercy, grace, and love!
Gracious Savior! Thou hast lengthened
And hast blest our mortal span,
And in our weak hearts hast strengthened
What Thy grace alone began!
Still, when danger shall betide us,
Be Thy warning whisper heard;
Keep us at Thy feet, and guide us
By Thy Spirit and Thy Word!
Let Thy favor and Thy blessing
Crown the year we now begin;
Let us all, Thy strength possessing,
Grow in grace, and vanquish sin!
Storms are round us, hearts are quailing,
Signs in heav’n and earth and sea;
But, when heav’n and earth are failing,
Savior! we will trust in Thee!