The sun, ascending,

To us is lending

Bliss, joy, and gladness,

Cure for all sadness,

Filling the world with its rich, golden light.

I was reclining

When no light was shining;

But the sun’s beauty

Now calls me to duty,

As I behold it so fair and so bright.

Mine eye beholdeth

What God unfoldeth:

Heaven’s bright glory

Tells me the story

Of His unlimited power and love,

And how the sainted

In beauty untainted,

Free from things mortal,

Beyond death’s dark portal,

Dwell in the heavenly mansions above.

To God in heaven

Be praises given;

Come, let us offer

And gladly proffer

To the Creator the gifts that we prize.

He well receiveth

A heart that believeth,

Hymns that adore Him

Are precious before Him

And to His throne like sweet incense arise.

At the day’s ending

Sweet slumbers sending,

And in the morning

All things adorning,

These are His works and His blessings so true.

When night descendeth

Protection He lendeth

When morn appeareth

Our spirits He cheereth,

Causing His mercy to crown us anew.

Father above me,

Thou who dost love me,

Bless my beginning,

Keep me from sinning,

Move ev’ry hindrance well out of my way.

Strength ever lend me,

From Satan defend me,

Spare me temptation,

So that in my station

I may Thy holy commandments obey.

Let me with pleasure

See the full measure

Which upon others,

Who are my brothers,

Thou of Thy blessings dost richly bestow.

Bid envy vanish!

All greediness banish!

Make me Thy dwelling,

Sin’s darkness dispelling.

Grant that in virtue I daily may grow.

What is man’s being?

It is like seeing

Autumn’s bleak shadows

Sweep o’er the meadows

When the cold winds drive the clouds on their way.

All that we cherish

Must crumble and perish.

Plants must stop growing,

And stars must cease glowing;

Heaven and earth are not destined to stay.

All else decayeth,

God only stayeth,

He of creation

Is the foundation.

His will and word must forever abide.

His grace endureth

And for us secureth

Comfort in sorrow

And help for the morrow,

Keeping us cheerful, whate’er may betide.

God of creation,

Be my salvation!

Calm all my terrors,

Blot out my errors,

Grant that Thy pardon I fully may share;

Withal attend me,

Rule, guide, and defend me

In mercy tender,

Because I surrender

Soul, will, and all to Thy fatherly care.

Whilst Thou art giving

What for a living

Seems very needful,

Oh, make Thou me heedful

Of this great truth and commendable thought:

God, like a tower,

Transcends all in power;

Good beyond telling,

In beauty excelling,

He doth suffice me, all else counts for naught.

If grief and sadness

Temper my gladness

If for the morrow

Thou send me sorrow

Do as Thou wilt, for my trust is in Thee.

Thou surely knowest

That what Thou bestowest,

E’en though distressing,

Must bring me a blessing;

Thou wilt not deal too severely with me.

Ills that still grieve me

Soon are to leave me;

Though waves may tower

And winds gain power,

After the storm the fair sun shows its face.

Joys e’er increasing,

And peace never ceasing,

These I shall treasure

And share in full measure

When in His mansions God grants me a place.