My God, Accept My Early Vows

My God

ac­cept my ear­ly vows

Like morn­ing in­cense in Thine house;

And let my night­ly wor­ship rise

Sweet as the ev­en­ing sac­ri­fice.

Watch o’er my lips

and guard them

Lord

From eve­ry rash and heed­less word;

Nor let my feet in­cline to tread

The guil­ty path where sin­ners lead.

O may the right­eous

when I stray

Smite

and re­prove my wan­der­ing way!

Their gen­tle words

like oint­ment shed

Shall nev­er bruise

but cheer my head.

When I be­hold them pressed with grief

I’ll cry to Heav’n for their re­lief;

And by my warm pe­ti­tions prove

How much I prize their faith­ful love.