Verse 1
Now from the altar of my heart
Let incense-flames arise:
Assist me, Lord, to offer up
Mine evening sacrifice.
Verse 2
Awake, my love! awake, my joy!
Awake, my heart and tongue!
Sleep not: when mercies loudly call,
Break forth into a song.
Verse 3
This day God was my Sun and Shield,
My Keeper and my Guide;
His care was on my frailty shown,
His mercies multiplied.
Verse 4
Minutes and mercies multiplied
Have made up all this day:
Minutes came quick, but mercies were
More fleet and free than they.
Verse 5
New time, new favor, and new joys
Do a new song require:
Till I shall praise thee as I would,
Accept my heart’s desire.
Verse 6
Lord of my time, whose hand hath set
New time upon my score,
Then shall I praise for all my time,
When time shall be no more.
John Mason, “Now From the Altar of My Heart”