Our God, Our Help in Ages Past is a timeless hymn declaring God’s eternal faithfulness, divine protection, and unchanging nature. It reminds believers that though life is fleeting, God remains a secure refuge, sovereign over time and history. This song calls the faithful to trust in the everlasting God, who is our help, hope, and eternal home.
VERSE 1
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home:
VERSE 2
Under the shadow of your throne
Your saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is your arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
VERSE 3
Before the hills in order stood
Or Earth received her frame,
From everlasting you are God,
To endless years the same.
VERSE 4
A thousand ages in your sight
Are like an evening gone,
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
VERSE 5
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
VERSE 6
Like flow’ry fields the nations stand,
Pleased with the morning light;
The flowers beneath the mower’s hand
Lie withering ere ’tis night.
VERSE 7
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be thou our guard while troubles last
And our eternal home.
Story Behind the Hymn
Isaac Watts, often hailed as the “Father of English hymnody,” was dissatisfied with the monotonous psalm singing of his time. In response, he sought to create hymns that were both theologically rich and poetically engaging. In 1719, Watts published “The Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of the New Testament,” where he paraphrased Psalm 90 into the hymn “O God, Our Help in Ages Past.”[1]
The hymn underscores the eternal nature of God contrasted with human mortality, reflecting the themes of Psalm 90. Its enduring message has resonated through centuries, offering comfort during times of uncertainty. Notably, it was sung at significant events such as the funeral of King Edward VII in 1910 and a service aboard the HMS Prince of Wales attended by Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941.[2]
The tune most commonly associated with this hymn, “St. Anne,” was composed by William Croft in 1708. This melody, paired with Watts’ profound lyrics, has cemented the hymn’s place in Christian worship, symbolizing reliance on God’s steadfastness throughout the ages.[3]
God’s Eternal Help and Refuge
“Our God, our help in ages past” acknowledges God as the eternal source of aid and protection. Psalm 46:1 affirms, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” This phrase emphasizes God’s faithfulness throughout history, sustaining His people in every generation.
“Under the shadow of your throne, Your saints have dwelt secure” conveys the idea of divine protection. Psalm 91:1 declares, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” God’s authority provides safety for His people, ensuring their security through His sovereign rule.
“From everlasting you are God, To endless years the same” speaks of God’s eternal nature. Psalm 90:2 states, “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” This truth reassures believers that God remains unchanged, unaffected by time.
“Time, like an ever-rolling stream, Bears all its sons away” highlights life’s brevity. James 4:14 compares human life to “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” This reinforces the urgency of trusting in God, who alone is eternal.
The song maintains theological depth, focusing on God’s sovereignty, eternity, and faithfulness. It aligns with Scripture, encouraging trust in God’s unchanging nature amidst the fleeting nature of life.
Relevant Bible Verses about Our God Our Help in Ages Past Hymn
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 NASB
One who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will lodge in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NASB
Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, From everlasting to everlasting, You are God. Psalm 90:2 NASB
You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. James 4:14 NASB
For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it passes by, Or like a watch in the night. Psalm 90:4 NASB
Our God Our Help in Ages Past lyrics and music by Isaac Watts (1719), Public Domain