o God our help

our God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home. under the shadow of thy throne thy saints have dwelt secure; sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defense is sure. before the hills in order stood, or earth received her frame, from everlasting thou art God, to endless years the same. our God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, be thou our guard while troubles last, and our eternal home.  - isaac watts

sometimes, quite often, as a reaction to the hearty choruses that are in favor these days, but also as the cry of a broken unworthy soul, i would like to sing one of these grand old hymns again, with the focus less on that holy undeserved intimacy between my Lord and me, and more on the almighty all merciful God of us all, lest we unwittingly bestow grace too cheaply upon ourselves.