The Hymnal 1982 429
I'll praise my Maker while I've breath
- Tune
- old 113th
- Author(s)
- Isaac Watts, 1674-1748; John Wesley, 1703-1791
- Composer(s)
- Vicar Earle Copes, b. 1921
- Meter
- 8.8.8.8.8.8
- Tune Source(s)
- Strassburger Kirchenamt, 1525
More information available on ritesong or Hymnary.org.
1 I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath, and when my voice is lost in death, praise shall employ my nobler powers. My days of praise shall ne’er be past while life, and thought, and being last, Or immortality endures.
2 How happy they whose hopes rely on Israel's God, who made the sky and earth and seas with all their train; whose truth for ever stands secure, who saves the oppressed, and feeds the poor. And none shall find his promise vain.
3 The Lord pours eyesight on the blind; the Lord supports the fainting mind and sends the laboring conscience peace. He helps the stranger in distress, the widowed and the fatherless, and grants the prisoner sweet release.
4 I’ll praise him while he lends me breath; and when my voice is lost in death, praise shall employ my nobler powers. My days of praise shall ne'er be past while life and thought and being last, or immortality endures.