For New Year's Day

Verse 1

The Lord of earth and sky, The God of ages praise! Who reigns enthroned on high, Ancient of endless days; Who lengthens out our trial here, And spares us yet another year.

Verse 2

Barren and withered trees, We cumbered long the ground; No fruit of holiness On our dead souls was found; Yet doth He us in mercy spare Another and another year.

Verse 3

When justice gave the word To cut the fig-tree down, The pity of our Lord Cried, "Let is still alone:" The Father mild inclines His ear, And spares us yet another year.

Verse 4

Jesus, Thy speaking blood From God obtained the grace, who therefore hath bestowed On us a longer space: Thou didst in our behalf appear, And lo, we see another year!

Verse 5

Then dig about our root, Break up our fallow ground, And let our gracious fruit To Thy great praise abound; Oh let us all Thy praise declare, And fruit unto perfection bear.