1 The Lord of earth and sky,
The God of ages praise!
Who reigns enthron'd on high,
Ancient of endless days,
Who lengthens out our trials here,
And spares us yet another year.

2 Barren and wither'd trees,
We cumber'd long the ground,
No fruit of holiness
On our dead souls was found;
Yet did he us in mercy spare,
Another, and another year.

3 When justice bar'd the sword,
To cut the fig-tree down,
The pity of our Lord
Cry'd--"Let it still alone:'
The Father mild inclin'd his ear,
And spar'd us yet another year.

4 Jesus, thy speaking blood
From God obtain'd the grace,
Who therefore hath bestow'd
On us a longer space:
Thou didst in our behalf appear,
And lo! we see another year.

5 Then dig about our root,
Break up our fallow ground,
And let our gracious fruit
To thy great praise bound;
O let us all thy praise declare,
And fruit unto perfection bear.