Today’s hymn comes from Joseph Addison (1672-1719). Although intended for the Church, he gave himself to the study of law and politics, and soon attained, through powerful influence, to some important posts. He was successively a Commissioner of Appeals, an Under Secretary of State, Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and Chief Secretary for Ireland1. He and a former schoolboy friend, Richard Steele, founded a daily newspaper called The Spectator. They determined to give it a higher moral tone than the other papers of the day. Addison appended the text of this hymn to an article he wrote on gratitude. It was published in The Spectator on August 9th, 17122. Enjoy!
When all thy mercies, O my God,
my rising soul surveys,
transported with the view, I’m lost
in wonder, love, and praise.
Unnumbered comforts to my soul
thy tender care bestowed,
before my infant heart conceived
from whom those comforts flowed.
When in the slippery paths of youth
with heedless steps I ran,
thine arm unseen conveyed me safe,
and led me up to man.
Ten thousand thousand precious gifts
my daily thanks employ,
and not the least a cheerful heart
which tastes those gifts with joy.
Through every period of my life
thy goodness I’ll pursue,
and after death in distant worlds
the glorious theme renew.
Through all eternity to thee,
a joyful song I’ll raise;
for O, eternity’s too short
to utter all thy praise.
1hymnary.org/person/Addison_Joseph
2wordwisehymns.com/2015/01/19/when-all-thy-mercies-o-my-god/
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