My Inmost Heart Now Raises

My inmost heart now raises In this fair morning hour A song of thankful praises To Thine almighty pow'r, O God, upon Thy throne. To honor and adore Thee, I bring my praise before Thee Thro' Christ, Thine only Son. 2. For Thou from me hast warded All perils of the night; From ev'ry harm hast guarded My soul till morning light. To Thee I humbly cry, O Savior, have compassion And pardon my transgression; Have mercy, Lord most high! 3. And shield me from all evil, O gracious God, this day, From sin, and from the devil, From shame and from dismay, From fire's consuming breath, From water's devastation, From need and consternation, From evil sudden death.

4. Let not Thine angel leave me While here on earth I stay Lest Satan's arts deceive me And lead my soul astray. Then keep Thine angel near At night and each new morrow Lest soul and body sorrow And falt'ring cost me dear. 5. God shall do my advising, Whose might with wisdom blends; May He bless rest and rising, My efforts, means, and ends! To God, forever blest, Will I with mine confide me, And willing let Him guide me As seemeth to Him best. 6. Amen I say, not fearing That God rejects my prayer; I doubt that He is hearing And granting me His care. Thus I go on my way And do not look behind me, But ply the task assigned me; God's help shall be my stay.