As thy days, so shall thy strength be

The following hymn by Baptist minister John Fawcett was published in 1782 in Hymns Adapted to the Circumstances of Public Worship and Private Devotion (Leeds: G. Wright and Son). Fawcett is probably best known as the writer of “Blest be the tie that binds.” In The Christian Harmonist “As thy days, so shall thy strength be” appears with the tune Bordenton and in Baptist Chorals with Asa Brooks Everett’s Vesper Hymn. Elsewhere it has been paired with Lowell Mason’s Uxbridge, which tune in The Sacred Harp we use with “Thanks to the hand that set us free.”

Hymn XIII. L. M.

As thy days, so shall thy strength be. Deut. xxxiii 25.

1. Afflicted soul, to Jesus dear,

The Saviour’s gracious promise hear;

His faithful word declares to thee,

That as thy days, thy strength shall be.

2. Let not thy heart despond and say,

“How shall I stand the trying day?”

He has engag’d by firm decree,

That as thy days, thy strength shall be.

3. Thy faith is weak, thy foes are strong;

Yet sure the conflict shan’t be long,

Thy Lord shall make the tempter flee;

For as thy days, thy strength shall be.

4. The christian race with patience run,

Till grace compleat the work begun;

Wrestle and strive for victory,

For as thy days, thy strength shall be.

5. Should persecution rage and flame,

Still trust in thy Redeemer’s name;

In fiery trials thou shalt see,

That as thy days, thy strength shall be.

6. When called to bear the weighty cross,

Or sore afflictions, pain, or loss,

Or deep distress, or poverty,

Still as thy days, thy strength shall be.

7. When ghastly death appears in view,

Christ’s presence shall thy fears subdue;

He comes to set thy spirit free,

And as thy days, thy strength shall be.

Above is the hymn as it appears originally in Fawcett’s hymn book. Below is the more common, slightly revised way that it appears in many modern hymnals.

1. Afflicted saint, to Christ draw near,

The Savior’s gracious promise hear;

His faithful word declares to thee,

That as thy days, thy strength shall be.

2. Let not thy heart despond and say,

“How shall I stand the trying day?”

He has engaged by firm decree,

That as thy days, thy strength shall be.

3. Thy faith is weak, thy foes are strong;

And though the conflict should be long,

Thy Lord will make the tempter flee;

for as thy days, thy strength shall be.

4. Should persecution rage and flame,

Still trust in thy Redeemer’s name;

In fiery trials thou shalt see,

That as thy days, thy strength shall be.

5. When called to bear the weighty cross,

Of sore affliction, pain or loss,

Or deep distress, or poverty,

Still as thy days, thy strength shall be.

6. When ghastly death appears in view,

Christ’s presence shall thy fears subdue;

he comes to set thy spirit free,

And as thy days, thy strength shall be.