God of all Ages / God of our Fathers

This is an American-inspired hymn of praise and petition for God's help in facing difficulties.

The original title was was "God of our Fathers". Today it is often presented as "God of the Ages" or "God of all Ages" - with or without modernization of the rest of the text.

The words were written by American Episcopal priest and occasional hymn-writer, Daniel C. Roberts (1841-1907) in 1876. Later, it was chosen as the hymn to be used for the celebration of the Centennial of the United States Constitution.

With meter of 10 10.10 10, it is almost-always set to the tune NATIONAL HYMN, which was written for the lyrics by George William Warren (1828-1902) in 1876.


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Examples

Massed choir with orchestra:


Choir with organ, professional recording:


Choir with contemporary band:


Small group with orchestral instruments:


Singer with guitar, acoustic recording:


Instrumental - organ:


Lyrics

Traditional text

God of the ages, whose almighty hand,
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band.
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,
Our grateful songs before thy throne arise.

Thy love divine hath led us in the past,
In this free land with thee our lot is cast.
Be thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay,
Thy Word our law, thy paths our chosen way.

From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be thy strong arm our ever sure defense.
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Refresh thy people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never-ending day.
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.

Modernized text:

God of the ages, whose almighty hand,
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band.
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,
Our grateful songs before Your throne arise.

You love divine has led us in the past,
In this free land with You our lot is cast.
Lord be our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay,
Your word our law, Your paths our chosen way.

From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Lord Your strong arm, our ever-sure defense.
Your true religion in our hearts increase,
Your bounteous goodness, nourish us in peace.

Refresh Your people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never-ending day.
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.

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