LORD of Hosts, Almighty King
Behold the sacrifice we bring;
To every arm Thy strength impart ;
Thy Spirit shed through every heart.
Wake in our breasts the living fires,
The holy faith that warmed our sires ;
Thy hand hath made our nation free,
To die for her is serving Thee.
Be Thou a Pillared Flame to show
The midnight snare, the silent foe;
And, when the battle thunders loud
Still guide us in its moving Cloud.
God of all nations, Sovereign Lord,
In Thy dread Name we draw the sword;
We lift the meteor-flag on high
That fills with light our troubled sky.
From treason's rent, from murder's stain,
Guard Thou its folds till peace shall reign;
Till fort and field, till shore and sea,
Join our loud anthem, 'Praise to Thee!'
LORD of Hosts, Who didst upraise Strong captains to defend the right In darker years and sterner days,
And armedst Israel for the fight; Thou madest Joshua true and strong, And David framed the battle-song. And must we battle yet? Must we, Who bear the tender Name divine, Still barter life for victory,
Still glory in the crimson sign?
The Crucified between us stands,
And lifts on high His wounded hands.
Lord, we are weak and wilful yet,
The fault is in our clouded eyes;
But Thou, through anguish and regret,
Dost make Thy faithless children wise
Through wrong, through hate, Thou dost approve
The far-off victories of love.
And so from out the heart of strife
Diviner echoes peal and thrill;
The scorned delights, the lavished life,
The pain that serves a nation's will;
Thy comfort stills the mourner's cries,
And love is crowned by sacrifice.
As rains that weep the clouds away,
As winds that leave a calm in heaven,
So let the slayer cease to slay ;-
The passion healed, the wrath forgiven,
Draw nearer, bid the tumult cease,
Redeemer, Saviour, Prince of Peace!
LP us, O Lord; behold, we enter
Upon another year to-day;
In Thee our hopes and thoughts now centre,
Renew our courage for the way:
New life, new strength, new happiness
We ask of Thee: oh! hear, and bless.
O God, be with us and direct us;
O God, our plans and hopes inspire;
O God, from thoughts of sin protect us;
O God, be all our heart's desire;
O God, be in our thoughts each day,
Nor suffer us to fall away.
And grant us, when the year is over,
Its latest hour in peace may close;
In all things care for us, and cover
Our head in time of fear and woes;
So may we, when our years are gone,
Appear with joy before Thy throne.
ATHER, let me dedicate
All this year to Thee,
In whatever worldly state
Thou wilt have me be.
Not from sorrow, pain, or care
Freedom dare I claim;
This alone shall be my prayer,
Glorify Thy Name.
Can a child presume to choose
Where or how to live?
Can a Father's love refuse
All the best to give?
More Thou givest every day
Than the best can claim,
Nor withholdest aught that may
Glorify Thy Name.
If in mercy Thou wilt spare
Joys that yet are mine;
If on life, serene and fair,
Brighter rays may shine;
Let my glad heart, while it sings,
Thee in all proclaim,
And, whate'er the future brings,
Glorify Thy Name.
If Thou callest to the cross,
And its shadow come,
Turning all my gain to loss,
Shrouding heart and home;
Let me think how Thy dear Son
To His glory came,
And in deepest woe pray on
'Glorify Thy Name.'
OR Thy mercy and Thy grace,
Faithful through another year
Hear our song of thankfulness,
Father and Redeemer, hear.
In our weakness and distress,
Rock of strength, be Thou our stay; In the pathless wilderness
Be our true and living way.
Who of us death's awful road
In the coming year shall tread;
With Thy rod and staff, O God,
Comfort Thou his dying head.
Keep us faithful, keep us pure,
Keep us evermore Thine own;
Help, oh ! help us to endure;
Fit us for the promised crown.
So within Thy palace gate
We shall praise, on golden strings,
Thee, the only Potentate,
Lord of lords, and King of kings.
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