O God , our help in ages past ,
Our hope for years to come ,
Our shelter from the stormy blast ,
And our eternal home .
Beneath the shadow of Thy Throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure ;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone ,
And our defence is sure .
Before the hills in order stood ,
Or earth received her frame ,
From everlasting Thou art God ,
To endless years the same .
A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone ;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun .
Time , like an ever rolling stream ,
Bears all its sons away ;
They fly forgotten , as a dream
Dies at the opening day .
O God , our help in ages past ,
Our hope for years to come ,
Be Thou our guard while troubles last ,
And our eternal home .
Isaac Watts (1674-1748) .