498    C.M.     Isaac Watts
Shortness of Life and Goodness of God. James 4. 14; Ps. 65. 11

1 Time! what an empty vapour ’tis!
  And days how swift they are!
  Swift as an Indian arrow flies,
  Or like a shooting star.

2 [The present moments just appear,
  Then slide away in haste,
  That we can never say, “They’re here,”
  But only say “They’re past.”]

3 [Our life is ever on the wing,
  And death is ever nigh;
  The moment when our lives begin,
  We all begin to die.]

4 Yet, mighty God! our fleeting days
  Thy lasting favours share;
  Yet with the bounties of thy grace,
  Thou load’st the rolling year.

5 ’Tis sovereign mercy finds us food,
  And we are clothed with love;
  While grace stands pointing out the road
  That leads our souls above.

6 His goodness runs an endless round;
  All glory to the Lord!
  His mercy never knows a bound;
  And be his name adored.

7 Thus we begin the lasting song,
  And, when we close our eyes,
  Let the next age thy praise prolong
  Till time and nature dies.