O God, the Rock of Ages

I love this hymn, a retelling in verse of Psalm 90.  It was originally written by Edward Bickersteth in 1860.  I felt that somehow it was forgotten—especially when used with the tune NEW WEDLOCK from J. T. White's The Sacred Harp collection of 1844.  I rearranged the words and updated it to a bit more modern language and added choruses.

The result?
You can view the music and listen to an mp3 of it here: O God, the Rock of Ages.

O God, the Rock of Ages
Alt. version, 2012, with added choruses.

O God, the Rock of Ages,
Who evermore hast been,
What time the tempest rages,
Our rest and peace within;
O Lord, the same as ever

Before creation’s chord,

To endless days forever,

The Everlasting Lord!

Our years are like the shadows
On sunny hills that lie,
Or grasses in the meadows
That blossom but to die;
A sleep, a dream, a story
By strangers quickly told
An unremaining glory
Of things that soon are old.

      Teach us our days to number

      So when our years are o’er,

      We then in final slumber

      May wake on Heaven’s shore!

O You, who cannot slumber,
Whose light grows never pale,
Teach us aright to number
Our years before they fail;
On us Your mercy lighten,
On us Your goodness rest,
And let Your Spirit brighten
The hearts that You have blessed.

Lord, crown our faith’s endeavor
With beauty and with grace,
Till, clothed in light forever,
We see You face to face:
A joy no language measures,
A fountain brimming o’er,
An endless flow of pleasures,
An ocean without shore.

      O Lord, our Lord forever,

      Our portion without end;

      O Love that none can sever,

      What bliss Your Grace portends!

      O Lord, our God and Savior,

      Your mercy and Your Love

      Here rest on us with favor—

      Bring us to Heav’n above!

- D. Benning