Hymn Lyrics

PLEASE NOTE: Not all verses may be sung and words may vary in the particular hymn presentation.

Teach Me the Measure of My Days
Words: Isaac Watts (1674–1748)
Music: Suffield | By King in Select Harmony by Andrew Law (1748-1821)
1. Teach me the measure of my days,
Thou Maker of my frame;
I would survey life’s narrow space,
And learn how frail I am.

2. A span is all that we can boast,
An inch or two of time;
Man is but vanity and dust
In all his flower and prime.

3. See the vain race of mortals move
Like shadows o’er the plain;
They rage and strive, desire and love,
But all the noise is vain.

4. Some walk in honor’s gaudy show,
Some dig for golden ore;
They toil for heirs, they know not who,
And straight are seen no more.

5. What should I wish or wait for, then,
From creatures earth and dust?
They make our expectations vain,
And disappoint our trust.

6. Now I forbid my carnal hope,
My fond desires recall;
I give my mortal interest up,
And make my God my all.