以撒·华兹（Isaac Watts，1674-1748）；通行的 “O God” 文本由 John Wesley（1703-1791）于 1738 年改写. Explore “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”: song information and official sources.
The glory of God · Faithfulness and covenant keeping
Watts paraphrases Psalm 90, opening with “Lord, you have been our dwelling place for all generations.” (Psalm 90:1). Generations places individual brevity within the witness of believers across time: God has always been their dwelling, and I stand within that long company. Verse 4 says, “For a thousand years in your sight are just like yesterday when it is past, like a watch in the night.” Verse 5 is even more direct: “You sweep them away as they sleep.” It underlies the hymn's image of people carried off by water. Sung at national remembrance, memorials and church anniversaries, the hymn measures our years against God's permanence. Two other hymns in this collection also draw on Psalm 90 from different angles. This one's focus is continuity across generations.
Memorials, national remembrance, church anniversaries, year-end and New Year services; teaching on Psalm 90.