Joseph Addison

8,6,8,6

When all thy mercies, O my God!

my rising soul surveys

Transported with the view, I'm lost

in wonder, love, and praise.

O how shall words, with equal warmth,

the gratitude declare

That glows within my ravished heart!

but Thou canst read it there.

Thy Providence my life sustained,

and all my wants redrest,

When in the silent womb I lay,

and hung upon the breast.

To all my weak complaints and cries

thy mercy lent an ear,

Ere yet my feeble thoughts had learned

to form themselves in pray'r.

Unnumbered comforts to my soul

thy tender care bestowed,

Before my infant heart conceived

from whom these comforts flowed.

When in the slipp'ry paths of youth

with heedless steps I ran,

Thine arm, unseen, conveyed me safe,

and led me up to man:

Through hidden dangers, toils, and deaths,

it gently cleared my way;

And through the pleasing snares of vice,

more to be feared than they.

When worn with sickness, oft hast thou

with health renewed my face;

And, when in sins and sorrows sunk,

revived my soul with grace.

Thy bounteous hand with worldly bliss

hath made my cup run o'er;

And, in a kind and faithful friend,

hath doubled all my store.

Ten thousand thousand precious gifts

my daily thanks employ;

Nor is the least a cheerful heart,

that tastes these gifts with joy.

Through ev'ry period of my life

thy goodness I'll proclaim;

And after death, in distant worlds,

resume the glorious theme.

When nature fails, and day and night

divide thy works no more,

My ever grateful heart, O Lord,

thy mercy shall adore.

Through all eternity to thee

a joyful song I'll raise;

For, oh! eternity's too short

to utter all thy praise.