I have become like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.

Psalm 71:7
Since my youth, O God, You have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvellous deeds. Even when I am old and grey, do not
forsake me, O God, till I declare Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.
Psalm 71:17-18
As we live through these difficult times it is possible that we will do so with a certain degree of bitterness and despair. It is here that the
book of Psalms becomes so very helpful to us. It was the prophetic worship book of Gods people. It is still the inspired book of worship songs and
hymns for Gods people today. At its heart is a certain Christ-centredness which causes us to look to the Lord in faith in the middle of the trials and
tribulations of our lives. It is no wonder that many of our most beloved hymns today are based upon the inspired words of the Psalmists. Such is the
case with Isaac Watts and his Hymn God of My Childhood and My Youth.
1. God of my childhood and my youth,
The guide of all my days,
I have declared Thy heavenly truth,
And told Thy wondrous ways.
2. Wilt Thou forsake my hoary hairs,
And leave my fainting heart?
Who shall sustain my sinking years,
If God my strength depart?
3. Let me Thy power and truth proclaim
To the surviving age;
And leave a savor of Thy name
When I shall quit the stage.
4. The land of silence and of death
Attends my next remove;
O may these poor remains of breath
Teach the wide world Thy love!
5. Thy righteousness is deep and high,
Unsearchable Thy deeds;
Thy glory spreads beyond the sky,
And all my praise exceeds.
6. Oft have I heard Thy threatenings roar,
And oft endured the grief;
But when Thy hand has pressed me sore,
Thy grace was my relief.
7. By long experience I have known
Thy sovereign power to save;
At Thy command I venture down
Securely to the grave.
8. When I lie buried deep in dust,
My flesh shall be Thy care;
These withering limbs with Thee I trust,
To raise them strong and fair.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #1918