Bless, O Lord, the Opening Year

Bless

O Lord

the op­en­ing year

To each soul as­semb­led here:

Clothe Thy Word with pow­er di­vine

Make us will­ing to be Thine.

Shepherd of Thy blood-bought sheep!

Teach the sto­ny heart to weep;

Let the blind have eyes to see

See them­selves

and look on Thee!

Let the minds of all our youth

Feel the force of sac­red truth;

While the Gos­pel call they hear

May they learn to love and fear.

Show them what their ways have been

Show the des­ert of their sin;

Then Thy dy­ing love re­veal

This shall melt a heart of steel.

Where Thou hast Thy work be­gun

Give new strength the race to run;

Scatter dark­ness

doubts and fears

Wipe away the mourn­ers’ tears.

Bless us all both old and young;

Call forth praise from ev­ery tongue:

Let the whole as­sem­bly prove

All Thy pow­er

and all Thy love.