Morning, Evening, and Midnight Hymns/A Morning Hymn (1712)

For other versions of this work, see A Morning Hymn (Ken).
2786732Morning, Evening, and Midnight Hymns — A Morning Hymn (Text of 1712)1864Thomas Ken


[TEXT OF 1712.]

A Morning HYMN.

AWAKE, my Soul, and with the Sun,
Thy daily Stage of Duty run,
Shake off dull Sloth, and joyful rise,
To pay thy Morning Sacrifice.

Thy precious Time mispent, redeem,
Each present Day thy last Esteem,
Improve thy Talent with due Care,
For the Great Day thy self prepare.

In Conversation be sincere,
Keep Conseience as the Noon-tide clear.
Think how All-seeing God thy ways,
And all thy Secret Thoughts surveys.

By influence of the Light Divine,
Let thy own Light to others Shine,
Reflect all Heaven's propitious Rays,
In ardent Love, and chearful Praise.

'Wake, and lift up thy self my Heart,
And with the Angels bear thy part,
Who all Night long unwearied sing,
High Praise to the Eternal King.

I wake, I wake, ye Heavenly Choir,
May your Devotion me inspire,
That I, like you, my Age may spend,
Like you may on my God attend.

May I, like you, in God delight,
Have all Day long my God in sight,
Perform like you my Maker's Will,
O may I never more do Ill.

Had I your Wings to Heaven I'd fly,
But God shall that Defect supply,
And my Soul wing'd with warm Desire,
Shall all Day long to Heaven aspire.

All Praise to Thee, who safe hast kept,
And hast refresh'd me whilst I slept,
Grant, Lord, when I from Death shall wake,
I may of endless Light partake.

I would not wake, nor rise again,
Ev'a Heaven itself I would disdain,
Were't not Thou there to be enjoy'd,
And I in Hymns to be employ'd.

Heav'n is, dear Lord, where e'er Thou art,
O never then from me depart:
For to my Soul, 'tis Hell to be,
But for one Moment void of Thee.

Lord, I my Vows to Thee renew,
Disperse my Sins as Morning Dew,
Guard my first Springs of Thought and Will,
And with Thy self my Spirit fill.

Direct, controul, suggest, this Day,
All I design, or do, or say,
That all my Powers with all their Might,
In Thy sole Glory may Unite.

Praise God from whom all Blessings flow,
Praise Him all Creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.