Today, O Lord,
a holier work
Thy secret
counsels
frame,
A king to rule
Thy new made
world,
To praise Thy
glorious Name.
Thou formest
man: Thy
Spirit
breathes
Life into dust
of earth:
Man, in Thine
own true image
made,
From Thee
receives his
birth.
And
henceforth he
dominion holds
O�er all in
earth and sea;
Yet mindful
whence his
being came
Must humbly
walk with
Thee.
Alas! his
willful heart
rebels
Against Thy
gentle sway;
Proud dust of
earth would
fain be like
The God Whom
all obey.
O griefs
and sorrows
numberless,
Which hence
the world
o�erspread;
Jesu, Thy
mercy succored
us,
Or hope itself
had fled.
O praise
the Father,
and the Son
Who saved us
by His death,
And Holy Ghost
Who quickens
us
With His life
giving breath.