Hymn LXXXII. Long Metre. The Fear of God

Great author of all nature's frame; Holy and reverend is thy name; Thou, Lord of life and Lord of death, Worlds rise and vanish at thy breath.

Nations in thine all seeing eye Are less than nothing, vanity; Against thee, who shall lift his hand? Before thy terrors, who can stand?

But blest are they, O gracious Lord, Who fear thy name and hear thy word! With such thy dweliing is, on those, Thy peace its joy divine bestows.

Thy wisdom guides, thy power defends, Their life, till life its journey ends; Death shall convey them to thy seat; Where all thy saints in glory meet.

O that my soul, with awful sense, Of thy transcendent excellence, May close the day, the day begin, Watchful against each darling sin.

Never, O never from my heart, May this great principle depart; But act with unabating power, Within me to my latest hour.