The LORD, our salvation and light, The guide and the strength of our days; Has brought us together, tonight, A new Ebenezer to raise: The year, we have now passed through, His goodness with blessings has crowned; Each morning his mercies were new, Then let our thanksgivings abound. | Encompassed with dangers and snares, Temptations, and fears, and complaints; His ear he inclined to our prayers, His hand opened wide to our wants: 231 We never besought him in vain, When burdened with sorrow or sin, He helped us again and again, Or where, before now, had we been? | His gospel, throughout the long year, From Sabbath to Sabbath he gave; How oft has he met with us here, And shown himself mighty to save? His candlestick has been removed From churches once privileged thus; But, though we unworthy have proved, It still is continued to us. | For so many mercies received, Alas! what returns have we made? His Spirit we often have grieved, And evil, for good, have repaid: How well it becomes us to cry, “O, who is a GOD like to thee? Who passest iniquities by, And plungest them deep in the sea!” | To JESUS, who sits on the throne, Our best hallelujahs we bring; To thee it is owing alone, That we are permitted to sing: Assist us, we pray, to lament The sins of the year that is past; And grant that the next may be spent Far more to thy praise than the last. | |