The words were written by English Congregational minister, hymn writer and theologian, Isaac Watts (1674-1748), and first published in his collection, "The Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of the New Testament" in 1719.
The original first line started "Our God, our help ... ). This was changed to "O God, our help ...) by John Wesley in his hymnal, Psalms and Hymns in 1738. Both forms may be used today, but "O God ... " appears to be more common.
Many publications only include verses 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9.
The original first line started "Our God, our help ... ). This was changed to "O God, our help ...) by John Wesley in his hymnal, Psalms and Hymns in 1738. Both forms may be used today, but "O God ... " appears to be more common.
With meter 8.6.8.6, it is usually commonly set to the tune ST ANNE (Croft) written by English organist William Croft and first published in 1708.
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
Thy Word commands our flesh to dust,
“Return, ye sons of men:”
All nations rose from earth at first,
And turn to earth again.
A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
The busy tribes of flesh and blood,
With all their lives and cares,
Are carried downwards by the flood,
And lost in following years.
Time, like an ever rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
Like flowery fields the nations stand
Pleased with the morning light;
The flowers beneath the mower’s hand
Lie withering ere ‘tis night.
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.
Downloads
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Examples
Congregation with organ and band:
Massed choir with organ - TV programme recording:
Choir with organ - on-screen lyrics:
Singer with guitar:
Singer with guitar - professional recording:
Instrumental - piano, with on-screen lyrics:
Lyrics
Our God, our help in ages past,Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
Thy Word commands our flesh to dust,
“Return, ye sons of men:”
All nations rose from earth at first,
And turn to earth again.
A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
The busy tribes of flesh and blood,
With all their lives and cares,
Are carried downwards by the flood,
And lost in following years.
Time, like an ever rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
Like flowery fields the nations stand
Pleased with the morning light;
The flowers beneath the mower’s hand
Lie withering ere ‘tis night.
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.
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