To Thine eternal arms, O God,
Take us, Thine erring children, in;
From dangerous paths too boldly trod,
From wandering thoughts and dreams of sin.
Those arms were round our childhood’s ways,
A guard through helpless years to be;
O leave not our maturer days!
We still are helpless without Thee.
We trusted hope and pride and strength;
Our strength proved false, our pride was vain;
Our dreams have faded all at length—
We come to Thee, O Lord, again!
A guide to trembling steps yet be!
Give us of Thine eternal power!
So shall our paths all lead to Thee,
And life still smile, like childhood’s hour.