Now from the altar of my heart
Let incense flames arise;
Assist me, Lord, to offer up
Mine evening sacrifice.

Awake, my love! Awake, my joy!
Awake, my heart and tongue!
Sleep not: when mercies loudly call,
Break forth into a song.

This day God was my Sun and Shield,
My Keeper and my Guide;
His care was on my frailty shown,
His mercies multiplied.

Minutes and mercies multiplied
Have made up all this day;
Minutes came quick but mercies were
More fleet and free than they.

New time, new favor, and new joys
Do a new song require;
Till I shall praise Thee as I would,
Accept my heart’s desire.

Man’s life’s a book of history,
The leaves thereof are days,
The letters mercies closely joined,
The title is Thy praise.

Lord of my time, whose hand hath set
New time upon my score,
Then I shall praise for all my time,
When time shall be no more.