\version "2.18.2"

\paper {
  %line-width = 10\in
  indent = 0\in
  ragged-right = ##t
}

%% Default LilyPond beginning-of-line lyric alignment and spacing

\score {
  \new Staff <<
    \new Voice = "hymn" {
      \relative c'' {
        \partial 2 a4 a \bar "|"
      }
    }
    \new Lyrics \lyricsto "hymn" {
      with my
    }
    \new Lyrics \lyricsto "hymn" {
      through the
    }
    \new Lyrics \lyricsto "hymn" {
      praise the
    }
    \new Lyrics \lyricsto "hymn" {
      bless -- ed
    }
  >>
}

%% Left justifying the first syllable in each verse results in funky note spacing

syllableLeft = { \once \override LyricText.self-alignment-X = #LEFT }

\score {
  \new Staff <<
    \new Voice = "hymn" {
      \relative c'' {
        \partial 2 a4 a \bar "|"
      }
    }
    \new Lyrics \lyricsto "hymn" {
      \syllableLeft with my
    }
    \new Lyrics \lyricsto "hymn" {
      \syllableLeft through the
    }
    \new Lyrics \lyricsto "hymn" {
      \syllableLeft praise the
    }
    \new Lyrics \lyricsto "hymn" {
      \syllableLeft bless -- ed
    }
  >>
}

%% Left justifying syllables to the longest syllable by hand is time-consuming, inaccurate, and not persistent
%% if a different lyric font is chosen later

\score {
  \new Staff <<
    \new Voice = "hymn" {
      \relative c'' {
        \partial 2 a4 a \bar "|"
      }
    }
    \new Lyrics \lyricsto "hymn" {
      \once \override LyricText.self-alignment-X = #1 with my
    }
    \new Lyrics \lyricsto "hymn" {
      through the
    }
    \new Lyrics \lyricsto "hymn" {
      \once \override LyricText.self-alignment-X = #0.35 praise the
    }
    \new Lyrics \lyricsto "hymn" {
      \once \override LyricText.self-alignment-X = #0.8 bless -- ed
    }
  >>
}