A hymn by Joseph Hart (1712-1768)
In this New Year’s Day canticle, Hart sets our minds on the race ahead and supplies a prayer for endurance marked by courageous faith and steadfast love.
Once more the constant Sun,
Revolving round his Sphere,
His steady Course has run;
And brings another Year.
He rises, sets,
But goes not back;
Nor ever quits
His destin’d Track.
Hence let believers learn
To keep a forward Pace.
Be this our main Concern,
To finish well our Race.
Backslidings shun;
With Patience press
Towards the Sun
of Righteousness.
What now shall be our Talk?
Or rather, what our Pray’r?
What good Thing shall we ask,
To prosper this new Year?
With one accord
Our Hearts we’ll lift;
And ask our Lord
Some New-Year’s Gift.
No trifling Gift or small
Should Friends of Christ desire.
Rich Lord, bestow on all
Pure Gold, well tried by Fire;1
Faith that stands fast,
When Devils roar;
And Love that lasts
For evermore.
