Scripture Verse

Now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed Thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power to every one that is to come. Psalm 71:18

Introduction

portrait
Ralph E. Hudson (1843–1901)

Words: Pa­ra­phrase of Psalm 71; au­thor un­known.

Music: Mar­tyr­dom Hugh Wil­son, 1800. Ar­ranged by Ralph E. Hud­son, cir­ca 1885 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Lyrics

From days of ear­ly youth, O God,
By Thee have I been taught,
And faith­ful­ly have I de­clared
The won­ders Thou hast wrought.

O gra­cious God, for­sake me not
When I am old and gray,
That un­to those that fol­low me
I may Thy might dis­play.

Thy per­fect right­eous­ness, O God,
The height of Heav’n ex­ceeds,
O who is like to Thee, who hast
Performed such migh­ty deeds?

Thou who hast sent me ma­ny griefs,
Wilt yet my soul re­store,
And out of sor­row’s low­est depths
Wilt bring me forth once more.

O turn again and com­fort me,
My wan­ing strength in­crease,
And for Thy faith­ful­ness, O God,
My praise shall ne­ver cease.

Thou Ho­ly One of Is­ra­el,
To Thee sweet songs I raise;
The soul Thou hast re­deemed from death
Shall give Thee joy­ful praise.

My ene­mies that seek my hurt
Thy help has put to shame;
My thank­ful tongue will cease­less­ly
Thy right­eous­ness pro­claim.