Why pour'st thou forth thine anxious plaint,

despairing of relief,

As if the Lord o'erlook'd thy cause,

and did not heed thy grief?

Hast thou not known, hast thou not heard,

that firm remains on high

The everlasting throne of Him

who formed the earth and sky?

Art thou afraid his pow'r shall fail

when comes thy evil day?

And can an all-creating arm

grow weary or decay?

Supreme in wisdom as in pow'r

the Rock of ages stands;

Though him thou canst not see, nor trace

the working of his hands.

He gives the conquest to the weak,

supports the fainting heart;

And courage in the evil hour

his heav'nly aids impart.

Mere human pow'r shall fast decay,

and youthful vigour cease;

But they who wait upon the Lord,

in strength shall still increase.

They with unwearied feet shall tread

the path of life divine;

With growing ardent onward move,

with growing brightness shine.

On eagles' wings they mount, they soar,

their wings are faith and love,

Till, past the cloudy regions here,

they rise to heav'n above.