PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Hymns and Spiritual Songs
Watts, Isaac, 1674-1748 · 62,793 words · 378 reading sections
Hymn 2:147. The creation of the world, Gen. 1.
1 "Now let a spacious world arise," Said the Creator-Lord: At once the obedient earth and skies Rose at his sovereign word. 2 [Dark was the deep; the waters lay Confus'd and drown'd the land: He call'd the light; the new-born day Attends on his command. 3 He bids the clouds ascend on high; The clouds ascend and bear …
259 wordsSECTION 302Hymn 2:148. God reconciled in Christ.
1 Dearest of all the names above My Jesus, and my God, Who can resist thy heavenly love, Or trifle with thy blood? 2 'Tis by the merits of thy death The Father smiles again; 'Tis by thine interceding breath The Spirit dwells with men. 3 Till God in human flesh I see, My thoughts no comfort find; The holy, just, and s…
115 wordsSECTION 303Hymn 2:149. Honour to Magistrates; or, Government from God.
1 Eternal Sovereign of the sky, And Lord of all below, We mortals to thy majesty Our first obedience owe. 2 Our souls adore thy throne supreme, And bless thy providence For magistrates of meaner name, Our glory and defence. 3 [The crowns of British princes shine With rays above the rest, Where laws and liberties comb…
106 wordsSECTION 304Hymn 2:150. The deceitfulness of sin.
1 Sin has a thousand treacherous arts To practise on the mind; With flattering looks she tempts our hearts But leaves a sting behind. 2 With names of virtue she deceives The aged and the young; And while the heedless wretch believes, She makes his fetters strong. 3 She pleads for all the joys she brings, And gives a …
96 wordsSECTION 305Hymn 2:151. Prophesy and inspiration.
1 'Twas by an order from the Lord The ancient prophets spoke his word; His Spirit did their tongues inspire, And warm'd their hearts with heavenly fire. 2 The works and wonders which they wrought Confirm'd the messages they brought; The prophet's pen succeeds his breath To save the holy words from death. 3 Great God,…
111 wordsSECTION 306Hymn 2:152. Sinai and Sion, Heb. 12. 18 &c.
1 Not to the terrors of the Lord, The tempest, fire, and smoke, Not to the thunder of that word Which God on Sinai spoke; 2 But we are come to Sion's hill, The city of our God, Where milder words declare his will And spread his love abroad. 3 Behold th' innumerable host Of angels cloth'd in light! Behold the spirits …
142 wordsSECTION 307Hymn 2:153. The distemper, folly, and madness of sin.
1 Sin like a venomous disease Infects our vital blood; The only balm is sovereign grace, And the physician, God. 2 Our beauty and our strength are fled, And we draw near to death; But Christ the Lord recalls the dead With his almighty breath. 3 Madness by nature reigns within, The passions burn and rage; Till God's o…
143 wordsSECTION 308Hymn 2:154. Self-righteousness insufficient.
1 "Where are the mourners, [1] (saith the Lord) "That wait and tremble at my word, "That walk in darkness all the day? "Come, make my name your trust and stay. 2 ["No works nor duties of your own "Can for the smallest sin atone; "The robes [2] that nature may provide "Will not your least pollutions hide. 3 "The softe…
150 wordsSECTION 309Hymn 2:155. Christ our passover.
1 Lo the destroying angel flies To Pharaoh's stubborn land: The pride and flower of Egypt dies By his vindictive hand. 2 He pass'd the tents of Jacob o'er, Nor pour'd the wrath divine; He saw the blood on every door, And bless'd the peaceful sign. 3 Thus th' appointed Lamb must bleed To break th' Egyptian yoke; Thus …
113 wordsSECTION 310Hymn 2:156. Presumption and despair; or, Satan's various temptations.
1 I hate the tempter and his charms, I hate his flattering breath; The serpent takes a thousand forms To cheat our souls to death. 2 He feeds our hopes with airy dreams, Or kills with slavish fear; And holds us still in wide extremes, Presumption, or despair. 3 Now he persuades, "How easy 'tis "To walk the road to he…
168 wordsSECTION 311Hymn 2:157. The same.
1 Now Satan comes with dreadful roar, And threatens to destroy; He worries whom he can't devour With a malicious joy. 2 Ye sons of God, oppose his rage, Resist, and he'll be gone; Thus did our dearest Lord engage And vanquish him alone. 3 Now he appears almost divine Like innocence and love, But the old serpent lurks…
89 wordsSECTION 312Hymn 2:158. Few saved; or, The almost Christian, the hypocrite, and apostate.
1 Broad is the road that leads to death, And thousands walk together there; But wisdom shews a narrower path, With here and there a traveller. 2 "Deny thyself, and take thy cross," Is the Redeemer's great command; Nature must count her gold but dross If she would gain this heavenly land. 3 The fearful soul that tires…
104 wordsSECTION 313Hymn 2:159. An unconverted state; or, Converting grace.
1 [Great King of Glory and of grace, We own with humble shame, How vile is our degenerate race, And our first father's name.] 2 From Adam flows our tainted blood, The poison reigns within, Makes us averse to all that's good, And willing slaves to sin. 3 [Daily we break thy holy laws, And then reject thy grace; Engag'…
141 wordsSECTION 314Hymn 2:160. Custom in sin.
1 Let the wild leopards of the wood Put off the spots that nature gives, Then may the wicked turn to God, And change their tempers and their lives. 2 As well might Ethiopian slaves Wash out the darkness of their skin; The dead as well might leave their graves, As old transgressors cease to sin. 3 Where vice has held …
111 wordsSECTION 315Hymn 2:161. Christian virtues; or, The difficulty of conversion.
1 Strait is the way, the door is strait That leads to joys on high; 'Tis but a few that find the gate, While crowds mistake and die. 2 Beloved self must be deny'd, The mind and will renew'd: Passion suppress'd, and patience try'd, And vain desires subdu'd. 3 [Flesh is a dangerous foe to grace, Where it prevails and r…
138 wordsSECTION 316Hymn 2:162 Meditation of heaven; or, The joy of faith.
1 My thoughts surmount these lower skies And look within the veil; There springs of endless pleasure rise, The waters never fail. 2 There I behold with sweet delight The blessed Three in One; And strong affections fix my sight On God's incarnate Son. 3 His promise stands for ever firm, His grace shall ne'er depart; H…
114 wordsSECTION 317Hymn 2:163. Complaint of desertion and temptations.
1 Dear Lord, behold our sore distress; Our sins attempt to reign; Stretch out thine arm of conquering grace, And let thy foes be slain. 2 [The lion with his dreadful roar Affrights thy feeble sheep; Reveal the glory of thy power, And chain him to the deep. 3 Must we indulge a long despair, Shall our petitions die; Ou…
141 wordsSECTION 318Hymn 2:164. The end of the world.
1 Why should this earth delight us so? Why should we fix our eyes On these low grounds where sorrows grow, And every pleasure dies? 2 While time his sharpest teeth prepares Our comforts to devour, There is a land above the stars, And joys above his power. 3 Nature shall be dissolv'd and die, The sun must end his race…
95 wordsSECTION 319Hymn 2:165. Unfruitfulness, ignorance, and unsanctified affections.
1 Long have I sat beneath the sound Of thy salvation, Lord But still how weak my faith is found, And knowledge of thy word! 2 Oft I frequent thy holy place And hear almost in vain; How small a portion of thy grace My memory can retain! 3 [My dear Almighty, and my God, How little art thou known By all the judgments of…
142 wordsSECTION 320Hymn 2:166. The divine perfections.
1 How shall I praise th' eternal God, That infinite unknown? Who can ascend his high abode, Or venture near his throne? 2 [The great Invisible! he dwells Conceal'd in dazzling light; But his all-searching eye reveals The secrets of the night. 3 Those watchful eyes that never sleep Survey the world around; His wisdom …
178 wordsSECTION 321Hymn 2:167. The divine perfections.
1 Great God, thy glories shall employ My holy fear, my humble joy; My lips in songs of honour bring Their tribute to th' eternal King. [2 Earth and the stars and worlds unknown, Depend precarious on his throne, All nature hangs upon his word, And grace and glory own their Lord.] 3 [His sovereign power what mortal kno…
262 wordsSECTION 322Hymn 2:168. The same.
1 Jehovah reigns, his throne is high, His robes are light and majesty; His glory shines with beams so bright No mortal can sustain the sight. 2 His terrors keep the world in awe, His justice guards his holy law; His love reveals a smiling face, His truth and promise seal the grace. 3 Thro' all his works his wisdom sh…
106 wordsSECTION 323Hymn 2:169. As the 148th Psalm. The same.
1 The Lord Jehovah reigns His throne is built on high; The garments he assumes Are light and majesty; His glories shine With beams so bright No mortal eye Can bear the sight. 2 The thunders of his hand Keep the wide world in awe; His wrath and justice stand To guard his holy law; And where his love Resolves to bless, …
137 wordsSECTION 324Hymn 2:170. God incomprehensible and sovereign.
1 Can creatures to perfection find [1] Th' eternal uncreated mind? Or can the largest stretch of thought Measure and search his nature out? 2 'Tis high as heaven, 'tis deep as hell, And what can mortals know or tell? His glory spreads beyond the sky, And all the shining worlds on high. 3 But man, vain man, would fain…
249 wordsSECTION 325Book 3.
Prepared for the Lord's Supper.…
5 wordsSECTION 326Hymn 3:1. The Lord's Supper instituted, 1 Corinthians 11:23 &c.
1 'Twas on that dark, that doleful night When powers of earth and hell arose Against the Son of God's delight, And friends betray'd him to his foes; 2 Before the mournful scene began He took the bread, and bless'd, and brake: What love thro' all his actions ran! What wondrous words of grace he spake! 3 "This is my bod…
195 wordsSECTION 327Hymn 3:2. Communion with Christ, and with saints, 1 Cor. 10. 16 17.
1 [Jesus invites his saints To meet around his board; Here pardon'd rebels sit, and hold Communion with their Lord. 2 For food he gives his flesh, He bids us drink his blood, Amazing favour! matchless grace Of our descending God!] 3 This holy bread and wine Maintains our fainting breath, By union with our living Lord…
129 wordsSECTION 328Hymn 3:3. The new testament in the blood of Christ; or, The new covenant sealed.
1 "The promise of my Father's love "Shall stand for ever good;" He said, and gave his soul to death, And seal'd the grace with blood. 2 To this dear covenant of thy word I set my worthless name; I seal th' engagement to my Lord, And make my humble claim. 3 Thy light, and strength, and pardoning grace, And glory shall…
125 wordsSECTION 329Hymn 3:4. Christ's dying love; or, Our pardon bought at a dear price.
1 How condescending and how kind Was God's eternal Son! Our misery reach'd his heavenly mind, And pity brought him down. 2 [When Justice by our sins provok'd Drew forth its dreadful sword, He gave his soul up to the stroke, Without a murmuring word.] 3 [He sunk beneath our heavy woes To raise us to his throne; There'…
188 wordsSECTION 330Hymn 3:5. Christ the bread of life, John 6. 31 35 39.
1 Let us adore th' eternal Word, 'Tis he our souls hath fed; Thou art our living stream, O Lord, And thou th' immortal bread. 2 [The manna came from lower skies, But Jesus from above, Where the fresh springs of pleasure rise And rivers flow with love. 3 The Jews the fathers dy'd at last, Who ate that heavenly bread; …
142 wordsSECTION 331Hymn 3:6. The memorial of our absent Lord, John 16. 16. Luke 22. 19. John 14. 3.
1 Jesus is gone above the skies, Where our weak senses reach him not And carnal objects court our eyes To thrust our Saviour from our thought. 2 He knows what wandering hearts we have, Apt to forget his lovely face; And to refresh our minds he gave These kind memorials of his grace. 3 The Lord of life this table spre…
167 wordsSECTION 332Hymn 3:7. Crucifixion to the world by the cross of Christ, Gal. 6. 14.
1 When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of Glory dy'd, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride. 2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God; All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood. 3 See from his head, his hands, …
144 wordsSECTION 333Hymn 3:8. The tree of life.
1 Come let us join a joyful tune To our exalted Lord, Ye saints on high around his throne, And we around his board. 2 While once upon this lower ground Weary and faint ye stood, What dear refreshments here ye found From this immortal food! 3 The tree of life that near the throne In heaven's high garden grows, Laden w…
190 wordsSECTION 334Hymn 3:9. The Spirit, the water, and the blood, John 5. 6.
1 [Let all our tongues be one To praise our God on high, Who from his bosom sent his Son To fetch us strangers nigh. 2 Nor let our voices cease To sing the Saviour's Name; Jesus th' ambassador of peace, How cheerfully he came! 3 It cost him cries and tears To bring us near to God; Great was our debt, and he appears T…
221 wordsSECTION 335Hymn 3:10. Christ crucified; the wisdom and power of God.
1 Nature with open volume stands To spread her Maker's praise abroad; And every labour of his hands Shews something worthy of a God. 2 But in the grace that rescu'd man His brightest form of glory shines; Here on the cross 'tis fairest drawn In precious blood and crimson lines. 3 [Here his whole name appears complete…
159 wordsSECTION 336Hymn 3:11. Pardon brought in our senses.
1 Lord, how divine thy comforts are! How heavenly is the place Where Jesus spreads the sacred feast Of his redeeming grace! 2 There the rich bounties of our God, And sweetest glories shine; There Jesus says, that "I am his, "And my Beloved's mine." 3 "Here," (says the kind redeeming Lord, And shews his wounded side) …
165 wordsSECTION 337Hymn 3:12. The gospel feast, Luke 14. 16 &c.
1 [How rich are thy provisions Lord! Thy table furnish'd from above, The fruits of life o'erspread the board, The cup o'erflows with heavenly love. 2 Thine ancient family the Jews, Were first invited to the feast; We humbly take what they refuse, And Gentiles thy salvation taste. 3 We are the poor, the blind, the lam…
188 wordsSECTION 338Hymn 3:13. Divine love making a feast, and calling in the guests, Luke 14. 17 22 23.
1 How sweet and awful is the place With Christ within the doors, While everlasting love displays The choicest of her stores! 2 Here every bowel of our God With soft compassion rolls Here peace and pardon bought with blood Is food for dying souls. 3 [While all our hearts and all our songs Join to admire the feast, Eac…
170 wordsSECTION 339Hymn 3:14. The song of Simeon, Luke 2. 28; or, A sight of Christ makes death easy.
1 Now have our hearts embrac'd our God, We would forget all earthly charms, And wish to die as Simeon would, With his young Saviour in his arms. 2 Our lips should learn that joyful song, Were but our hearts prepar'd like his; Our souls still willing to be gone, And at thy word depart in peace. 3 Here we have seen thy…
139 wordsSECTION 340Hymn 3:15. Our Lord Jesus at his own table.
1 [The memory of our dying Lord Awakes a thankful tongue: How rich he spread his royal board, And blest the food, and sung. 2 Happy the men that eat this bread, But double bless'd was he That gently bow'd his loving head, And lean'd it, Lord, on thee. 3 By faith the same delights we taste As that great favourite did,…
172 wordsSECTION 341Hymn 3:16. The agonies of Christ.
1 Now let our pains be all forgot, Our hearts no more repine, Our sufferings are not worth a thought, When, Lord, compar'd with thine. 2 In lively figures here we see The bleeding Prince of love; Each of us hope he dy'd for me, And then our griefs remove. 3 [Our humble faith here takes her rise, While sitting round h…
168 wordsSECTION 342Hymn 3:17. Incomparable food; or, The flesh and blood of Christ.
1[We sing th' amazing deeds That grace divine performs; Th' eternal God comes down and bleeds To nourish dying worms. 2 This soul reviving wine, Dear Saviour, 'tis thy blood; We thank that sacred flesh of thine For this immortal food.] 3 The banquet that we eat Is made of heavenly things, Earth hath no dainties half …
175 wordsSECTION 343Hymn 3:18. The same.
1 Jesus, we bow before thy feet, Thy table is divinely stor'd: Thy sacred flesh our souls have eat, 'Tis living bread; we thank thee, Lord! 2 And here we drink our Saviour's blood, We thank thee, Lord, 'tis generous wine; Mingled with love the fountain flow'd From that dear bleeding heart of thine. 3 On earth is no s…
140 wordsSECTION 344Hymn 3:19. Glory in the cross; or, Not ashamed of Christ crucified.
1 At thy command, our dearest Lord, Here we attend thy dying feast; Thy blood like wine adorns thy board, And thine own flesh feeds every guest. 2 Our faith adores thy bleeding love, And trusts for life in one that dy'd; We hope for heavenly crowns above From a Redeemer crucify'd. 3 Let the vain world pronounce it sh…
110 wordsSECTION 345Hymn 3:20. The provisions for the table of our Lord; or, The tree of life, and river of love.
1 Lord, we adore thy bounteous hand, And sing the solemn feast Where sweet celestial dainties stand For every willing guest. 2 [The tree of life adorns the board With rich immortal fruit, And ne'er an angry flaming sword To guard the passage to't. 3 The cup stands crown'd with living juice; The fountain flows above, …
136 wordsSECTION 346Hymn 3:21. The triumphal feast for Christ's victory over sin, and death, and hell.
1 [Come let us lift our voices high, High as our joys arise, And join the songs above the sky, Where pleasure never dies. 2 Jesus, the God that fought and bled, And conquer'd when he fell; That rose, and at his chariot-wheels Dragg'd all the powers of hell.] 3 [Jesus the God invites us here To this triumphal feast, A…
284 wordsSECTION 347Hymn 3:22. The compassion of a dying Christ.
1 Our spirits join t' adore the Lamb; O that our feeble lips could move In strains immortal as his Name, And melting as his dying love. 2 Was ever equal pity found? The Prince of heaven resigns his breath, And pours his life out on the ground To ransom guilty worms from death. 3 [Rebels, we broke our Maker's laws; He…
161 wordsSECTION 348Hymn 3:23. Grace and glory by the death of Christ.
1 [Sitting around our Father's board We raise our tuneful breath; Our faith beholds her dying Lord, And dooms our sins to death.] 2 We see the blood of Jesus shed, Whence all our pardons rise; The sinner views th' atonement made, And loves the sacrifice. 3 Thy cruel thorns, thy shameful cross Procure us heavenly crow…
90 wordsSECTION 349Hymn 3:24. Pardon and strength from Christ.
1 Father, we wait to feel thy grace, To see thy glories shine; The Lord will his own table bless, And make the feast divine. 2 We touch, we taste the heavenly bread, We drink the sacred Cup; With outward forms our sense is fed, Our souls rejoice in hope. 3 We shall appear before the throne Of our forgiving God, Dress…
124 wordsSECTION 350Hymn 3:25. Divine glories, and our graces.
1 How are thy glories here display'd, Great God, how bright they shine, While at thy word we break the bread, And pour the flowing wine! 2 Here thy revenging justice stands And pleads its dreadful cause; Here saving mercy spreads her hands Like Jesus on the cross. 3 Thy saints attend with every grace On this great sa…
338 wordsSECTION 351Hymn 3:26. 1st. L.M. A song of praise to the ever-blessed Trinity, God in Father, Son, and Spirit.
1 Bless'd be the Father and his love: To whose celestial source we owe Rivers of endless joy above, And rills of comfort here below. 2 Glory to thee, great Son of God, From whose dear wounded body rolls A precious stream of vital blood, Pardon and life for dying souls. 3 We give the sacred Spirit praise, Who in our h…
104 wordsSECTION 352Hymn 3:27. 1st. C. M.
1 Glory to God the Father's Name, Who, from our sinful race, Chose out his favourites to proclaim The honours of his grace. 2 Glory to God the Son be paid, Who dwelt in humble clay, And, to redeem us from the dead, Gave his own life away. 3 Glory to God the Spirit give, From whose almighty power Our souls their heave…
94 wordsSECTION 353Hymn 3:28. 1st. S. M.
1 Let God the Father live For ever on our tongues; Sinners from his first love derive The ground of all their songs. 2 Ye saints, employ your breath In honour to the Son, Who bought your souls from hell and death By offering up his own. 3 Give to the Spirit praise Of an immortal strain, Whose light and power and grac…
110 wordsSECTION 354Hymn 3:29. 2d. L.M.
1 Glory to God the Trinity Whose name has mysteries unknown; In essence One, in person Three; A social nature, yet alone. 2 When all our noblest powers are join'd The honours of thy Name to raise, Thy glories over-match our mind, And angels faint beneath the praise.…
48 wordsSECTION 355Hymn 3:30. 2d. C. M
1 The God of mercy be ador'd, Who calls our souls from death, Who saves by his redeeming word, And new-creating breath. 2 To praise the Father and the Son And Spirit all divine, The One in Three, and Three in One, Let saints and angels join.…
47 wordsSECTION 356Hymn 3:31. 2d. S. M.
1 Let God the Maker's name Have honour, love and fear, To God the Saviour pay the same, And God the Comforter. 2 Father of lights above, Thy mercy we adore, The Son of thy eternal love And Spirit of thy power.…
42 wordsSECTION 357Hymn 3:32. 3d. L. M.
To God the Father, God the Son, And God the Spirit, Three in One, Be honour, praise, and glory given, By all on earth, and all in heaven.…
28 wordsSECTION 358Hymn 3:33. Or thus:
All glory to thy wondrous Name, Father of mercy, God of love, Thus we exalt the Lord, the Lamb, And thus we praise the heavenly Dove.…
26 wordsSECTION 359Hymn 3:34. 3d. C. M.
Now let the Father and the Son And Spirit be ador'd, Where there are works to make him known, Or saints to love the Lord.…
25 wordsSECTION 360Hymn 3:35. Or thus:
Honour to thee, almighty Three, And everlasting One; All glory to the Father be, The Spirit, and the Son.…
19 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.