219
He like a fleeting shadow walks,
And frets himself in vain;
He toils for wealth, nor knows at last,
What hand shall reap the gain.
And frets himself in vain;
He toils for wealth, nor knows at last,
What hand shall reap the gain.
And now, O Lord, what wait I for?
Thou art my hope alone:
Save me from all my hopes and fears,
And make Thy mercies known.
Thou art my hope alone:
Save me from all my hopes and fears,
And make Thy mercies known.
I bowed resigned,—the stroke was Thine,
I checked each murmuring thought;
Remove it now, my God, I sink
Beneath Thine hand to nought.
I checked each murmuring thought;
Remove it now, my God, I sink
Beneath Thine hand to nought.
When Thou for sin dost chasten man,
His beauty fades away.
Oh! surely all on earth is vain,
And flies like parting day.
His beauty fades away.
Oh! surely all on earth is vain,
And flies like parting day.
Oh, hear my cry, behold my tears,
And grant my fervent prayer!
Thou know'st I'm but a stranger here,
As all my fathers were.
And grant my fervent prayer!
Thou know'st I'm but a stranger here,
As all my fathers were.
Oh! spare me then! restore my strength,
Before that awful day,
When I shall leave this mortal scene,
And flee away to Thee.
Before that awful day,
When I shall leave this mortal scene,
And flee away to Thee.
E.
