Don Moen - O God Our Help in Ages Past Lyrics
Lyrics
O 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 defence is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last,
And our eternal home.
Video
Don Moen - O God Our Help in Ages Past (Gospel Hymn)
Meaning & Inspiration
Don Moen's rendition of "O God Our Help in Ages Past," featured on his 2012 album "Hymnbook," offers a profound exploration of divine constancy and human transience, drawing deeply from timeless theological truths. This familiar hymn, originally penned by Isaac Watts, is presented by Moen not merely as a musical piece, but as a potent affirmation of faith, echoing through the ages. The song’s core message lies in the stark contrast between the eternal nature of God and the fleeting existence of humanity, a theme woven through the very fabric of Scripture. From the opening lines, which proclaim God as an unchanging refuge, to the closing plea for continued divine protection, the lyrics serve as a robust declaration of trust.
The powerful narrative of "O God Our Help in Ages Past" finds its roots in the unwavering character of God as revealed throughout the Bible. The assertion that God is "our help in ages past" and "our hope for years to come" directly speaks to His covenant faithfulness, a theme that runs from Genesis through Revelation. Consider the promise made to Abraham, that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars, and that God would be their God (Genesis 17:7-8). This enduring presence of God as a protector and provider is echoed in Psalm 91, which describes the one who dwells "in the shelter of the Most High" as being safe and secure. The lyrics’ imagery of God as a "shelter from the stormy blast" and "eternal home" resonates with passages like Psalm 46:1, which states, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."
The hymn powerfully articulates God's sovereignty and His existence predating creation itself. The lines "Before the hills in order stood, / Or earth received her frame, / From everlasting Thou art God, / To endless years the same" are a direct echo of biblical descriptions of God's eternal nature. Isaiah 43:10, for instance, declares, "Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me." This timelessness of God, contrasted with the ephemeral nature of human life, is a central tenet of Christian theology. The hymn’s observation that "a thousand ages in Thy sight are like an evening gone" powerfully illustrates this concept, mirroring the Psalmist’s reflection in Psalm 90:4: "For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, like a watch in the night."
Furthermore, the song delves into the human experience of time’s relentless march. The metaphor of "Time, like an ever-rolling stream, / Bears all its sons away; / They fly forgotten, as a dream / Dies at the opening day" captures the fragility and brevity of mortal existence. This sentiment is a constant refrain in Ecclesiastes, where the preacher repeatedly declares the vanity of earthly pursuits and the transience of life. The hope offered by the hymn, however, is not in escaping this reality, but in finding steadfastness in God amidst it. The concluding verses, which reiterate the plea for God to be "our guard while life shall last, / And our eternal home," are a profound prayer for ongoing divine companionship. This resonates with Jesus' promise in Matthew 28:20: "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Don Moen’s rendition of "O God Our Help in Ages Past" thus serves as a vital reminder of God's unchanging nature and His enduring promise of salvation and security for all who place their trust in Him, offering a profound source of comfort and inspiration in a world often characterized by flux.