When all thy mercies…

When all thy mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view, I’m lost
In wonder, love and praise.

Oh, how shall words with equal warmth
The gratitude declare
That glows within my ravished heart?
But Thou canst read it there.

Unnumbered comforts to my soul
Thy tender care bestowed
Before my infant heart conceived
From whom those comforts flowed.

When in the slippery paths of youth
With heedless steps I ran,
Thine arm unseen conveyed me safe
And led me up to man.

When worn with sickness oft hast thou
With health renewed my face
And when in sins and sorrows sunk,
Revived my soul with grace.

Ten thousand thousand precious gifts
My daily thanks employ;
Nor is the least a cheerful heart
That tastes those gifts with joy.

Through every period of my life
Thy goodness I’ll pursue,
And after death in distant worlds
The glorious theme renew.

When nature fails, and day and night
Divide Thy works no more,
My ever grateful heart,
O Lord, Thy mercies shall adore.

Through all eternity to thee
A joyful song I’ll raise;
For, oh, eternity’s too short
To utter all thy praise.

~Joseph Addison (1672-1719)