Arise, my soul, with rapture rise,
And, fill'd with love and fear, adore
The awful Sovereign of the skies,
Whose mercy lends me one day more.
And may this day, indulgent Power,
Not idly pass, nor fruitless be;
But may each swiftly-flying hour
Still nearer bring my soul to Thee.
But can it be? That Power Divine
Is throned in light's unbounded blaze;
And countless worlds and angels join
To swell the glorious song of praise.
And will He deign to lend an ear,
When I, poor sinful mortal, pray?
Yes, boundless goodness! He will hear,
Nor cast the meanest wretch away.
Then let me serve Thee all my days,
And may my zeal with years increase;
For pleasant, Lord, are all Thy ways,
And all Thy paths are paths of peace.
-Samuel Francis Smith