PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of the New Testament and Applied to the Christian State and Worship
Watts, Isaac, 1674-1748 · 65,021 words · 393 reading sections
Part 1
The Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of The New Testament And Applied to The Christian State and Worship By I. Watts D.D. Luke xxiv. 44 All things must be fulfilled which were written in the _Psalms_ concerning me. HEB. xi. 32, 40. David, Samuel, and the prophets -- that they without us should not be mad…
778 wordsSECTION 2Part 2
This calamitous state made the compassion of his friends necessary, and drew upon him the attention of Sir Thomas Abney, who received him into his house; where with a constancy of friendship and uniformity of conduct not often to be found, he was treated for thirty-six years with all the kindness that friendship could …
829 wordsSECTION 3Part 3
Such was his flow of thoughts, and such his promptitude of language, that in the latter part of his life he did not precompose his cursory sermons; but having adjusted the heads, and sketched out some particulars, trusted for success to his extemporary powers. He did not endeavour to assist his eloquence by any gestic…
812 wordsSECTION 4Part 4
His character, therefore, must be formed from the multiplicity and diversity of his attainments, rather than from any single performance; for it would not be safe to claim for him the highest rank in any single denomination of literary dignity; yet perhaps there was nothing in which he would not have excelled, if he ha…
347 wordsSECTION 5PREFACE.
THE following extract from the Doctor's Preface, as it contains the plan of his version of the Psalms, may be found useful: "I come therefore to explain my own design, which is this, To accommodate the book of Psalms to Christian worship. And in order to do this, it is necessary to divest David and Asaph, &c. of every…
755 wordsSECTION 6Psalm 1:1. Common Metre, The way and end of the righteous and the wicked.
1 Blest is the man who shuns the place Where sinners love to meet; Who fears to tread their wicked ways, And hates the scoffer's seat: 2 But in the statutes of the Lord Has plac'd his chief delight; By day he reads or hears the word, And meditates by night. 3 [He like a plant of generous kind, By living waters set, S…
170 wordsSECTION 7Psalm 1:2. S. M. The saint happy, the sinner miserable.
1 The man is ever blest Who shuns the sinner's ways, Among their counsels never stands, Nor takes the scorner's place; 2 But makes the Law of God His study and delight, Amidst the labours of the day, And watches of the night. 3 He like a tree shall thrive, With waters near the root: Fresh as the leaf his name shall l…
133 wordsSECTION 8Psalm 1:3. L. M. The difference between the righteous and the wicked.
1 Happy the man whose cautious feet Shun the broad way that sinners go, Who hates the place where atheists meet, And fears to talk as scoffers do. 2 He loves t' employ his morning light Amongst the statutes of the Lord: And spends the wakeful hours at night, With pleasure pondering o'er the word. 3 He like a plant by…
166 wordsSECTION 9Psalm 2:1. S. M. Translated according to the divine pattern, Acts iv. 24 &c.
Christ dying, rising, interceding, and reigning. 1 [Maker and sovereign Lord Of heaven, and earth, and seas, Thy providence confirms thy word, And answers thy decrees. 2 The things so long foretold By David are fulfill'd, When Jews and Gentiles join to slay Jesus, thine holy child.] 3 Why did the Gentiles rage, And …
115 wordsSECTION 10PAUSE.
6 Now he's ascended high, And asks to rule the earth; The merit of his blood be pleads, And pleads his heavenly birth. 7 He asks, and God bestows A large inheritance; Far as the world's remotest ends His kingdom shall advance. 8 The nations that rebel Must feel his iron rod; He'll vindicate those honours well Which h…
106 wordsSECTION 11Psalm 2:2. C. M. The same.
1 Why did the nations join to slay The Lord's anointed Son? Why did they cast his laws away, And tread his gospel down? 2 The Lord that sits above the skies, Derides their rage below, He speaks with vengeance in his eyes, And strikes their spirits thro'. 3 "I call him my Eternal Son, "And raise him from the dead; "I …
142 wordsSECTION 12Psalm 2:3. L. M. Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension.
1 Why did the Jews proclaim their rage? The Romans why their swords employ? Against the Lord their powers engage His dear anointed to destroy? 2 "Come, let us break his bands," they say, "This man shall never give us laws ;" And thus they cast his yoke away, And nail'd the monarch to the cross. 3 But God, who high in…
191 wordsSECTION 13PAUSE.
8 Now, ye that sit on earthly thrones, Be wise, and serve the Lord, the Lamb; at his feet submit your crowns, Rejoice and tremble at his name. 9 With humble love address the Son, Lest he grow angry and ye die; His wrath will burn to worlds unknown If ye provoke his jealousy. 10 His storms shall drive you quick to hel…
85 wordsSECTION 14Psalm 3:1. C. M. Doubts and fears supprest; or, God our defence from sin and Satan.
1 My God, how many are my fears! How fast my foes increase! Conspiring my eternal death, They break my present peace. 2 The lying tempter would persuade There's no relief in heaven; And all my swelling sins appear Too big to be forgiven. 3 But thou, my glory and my strength, Shalt on the tempter tread, Shalt silence …
190 wordsSECTION 15Psalm 3:2. 1 2 3 4 5 8. L. M. A morning Psalm.
1 O Lord, how many are my foes, In this weak state of flesh and blood! My peace they daily discompose, But my defence and hope is God. 2 Tir'd with the burdens of the day, To thee I rais'd an evening cry; Thou heardst when I began to pray, And thine almighty help was nigh. 3 Supported by thine heavenly aid, I laid me…
112 wordsSECTION 16Psalm 4:1. 1 2 3 5 6 7. L. M. Hearing prayer; or, God our portion, and Christ our hope.
1 O God of grace and righteousness, Hear and attend when I complain; Thou hast enlarg'd me in distress, Bow down a gracious ear again. 2 Ye sons of men, in vain ye try To turn my glory into shame; How long will scoffers love to lie, And dare reproach my Saviour's name! 3 Know that the Lord divides his saints From all…
161 wordsSECTION 17Psalm 4:2. 3 4 5 8. C. M. An evening Psalm.
1 Lord, thou wilt hear me when I pray I am for ever thine: I fear before thee all the day, Nor would I dare to sin. 2 And while I rest my weary head From cares and business free, 'Tis sweet conversing on my bed With my own heart and thee. 3 I pay this evening sacrifice; And when my work is done, Great God, my faith a…
101 wordsSECTION 18Psalm 5. For the Lord's day morning.
1 Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear My voice ascending high; To thee will I direct my prayer, To thee lift up mine eye; 2 Up to the hills where Christ is gone To plead for all his saints, Presenting at his Father's throne Our songs and our complaints. 3 Thou art a God before whose sight The wicked shall not stand;…
122 wordsSECTION 19PAUSE.
6 My watchful enemies combine To tempt my feet astray; They flatter with a base design To make my soul their prey. 7 Lord, crush the serpent in the dust, And all his plots destroy; While those that in thy mercy trust For ever shout for joy. 8 The men that love and fear thy name Shall see their hopes fulfill'd; The mi…
72 wordsSECTION 20Psalm 6:1. C. M. Complaint in sickness; or, diseases healed.
1 In anger, Lord, rebuke me not, Withdraw the dreadful storm; Nor let thy fury grow so hot Against a feeble worm. 2 My soul's bow'd down with heavy cares, My flesh with pain oppress'd; My couch is witness to my tears, My tears forbid my rest. 3 Sorrow and pain wear out my days; I waste the night with cries, Counting …
144 wordsSECTION 21Psalm 6:2. L. M. Temptations in sickness overcome.
1 Lord, I can suffer thy rebukes, When thou with kindness dost chastise But thy fierce wrath I cannot bear, O let it not against me rise! 2 Pity my languishing estate, And ease the sorrows that I feel; The wounds thine heavy hand hath made, O let thy gentler touches heal. 3 See how I pass my weary days In sighs and g…
167 wordsSECTION 22Psalm 7. God's care of his people and punishment of persecutors.
1 My trust is in my heavenly Friend, My hope in thee, my God; Rise and my helpless life defend From those that seek my blood. 2 With insolence and fury they My soul in pieces tear, As hungry lions rend the prey When no deliverer's near. 3 If I had e'er provok'd them first, Or once abus'd my foe, Then let him tread my…
121 wordsSECTION 23PAUSE.
6 [Let sinners and their wicked rage Be humbled to the dust; Shall not the God of truth engage To vindicate the just? 7 He knows the heart, he tries the reins, He will defend th' upright: His sharpest arrows he ordains Against the sons of spite. 8 For me their malice digg'd a pit, But there themselves are cast; My Go…
95 wordsSECTION 24Psalm 8:1. S. M. God's sovereignty and goodness; and man's dominion over the creatures.
1 O Lord, our heavenly King, Thy name is all divine; Thy glories round the earth are spread, And o'er the heavens they shine. 2 When to thy works on high I raise my wondering eyes, And see the moon complete in light Adorn the darksome skies: 3 When I survey the stars, And all their shining forms, Lord, what is man, t…
189 wordsSECTION 25Psalm 8:2. C. M. Christ's condescension and glorification; or, God made man.
1 O Lord, our Lord, how wondrous great Is thine exalted name! The glories of thy heavenly state Let men and babes proclaim. 2 When I behold thy works on high, The moon that rules the night, And stars that well adorn the sky, Those moving worlds of light; 3 Lord, what is man, or all his race, Who dwells so far below, …
218 wordsSECTION 26Psalm 8:3. 1 2. paraphrased. First Part. L. M. The Hosanna of the children; or, Infants praising God.
1 Almighty Ruler of the skies, Thro' the wide earth thy name is spread, And thine eternal glories rise O'er all the heavens thy hands have made. 2 To thee the voices of the young A monument of honour raise; And babes, with uninstructed tongue, Declare the wonders of thy praise. 3 Thy power assists their tender age To…
126 wordsSECTION 27Psalm 8:4. 3 &c. paraphrased. Second Part. L. M. Adam and Christ, lords of the old and the new creation.
1 Lord, what was man, when made at first, Adam the offspring of the dust, That thou shouldst set him and his race But just below an angel's place? 2 That thou shouldst raise his nature so And make him lord of all below; Make every beast and bird submit, And lay the fishes at his feet? 3 But O, what brighter glories w…
134 wordsSECTION 28Psalm 9:1. First Part. Wrath and mercy from the judgment-seat.
1 With my whole heart I'll raise my song, Thy wonders I'll proclaim; Thou sov'reign judge of right and wrong Wilt put my foes to shame. 2 I'll sing thy majesty and grace; My God prepares his throne To judge the world in righteousness And make his vengeance known. 3 Then shall the Lord a refuge prove For all the poor …
121 wordsSECTION 29Psalm 9:2. 10. Second Part. The wisdom and equity of providence.
1 When the great Judge, supreme and just, Shall once inquire for blood, The humble souls, that mourn in dust, Shall find a faithful God. 2 He from the dreadful gates of death Does his own children raise: In Zion's gates, with cheerful breath, They sing their Father's praise. 3 His foes shall fail with heedless feet I…
98 wordsSECTION 30PAUSE.
5 The wicked shall sink down to hell; Thy wrath devour the lands That dare forget thee, or rebel Against thy known commands. 6 Tho' saints to sore distress are brought, And wait and long complain, Their cries shall not be still forgot, Nor shall their hopes be vain. 7 [Rise, great Redeemer, from thy seat, To judge an…
98 wordsSECTION 31Psalm 10. Prayer heard, and saints saved; or, Pride, atheism, and oppression punished.
For a humiliation day. 1 Why doth the Lord stand off so far, And why conceal his face, When great calamities appear, And times of deep distress? 2 Lord, shall the wicked still deride Thy justice and thy pow'r? Shall they advance their heads in pride, And still thy saints devour? 3 They put thy judgments from their s…
99 wordsSECTION 32PAUSE.
5 Why do the men of malice rage, And say with foolish pride, "The God of heaven will ne'er engage To fight on Zion's side?" 6 But thou for ever art our Lord; And pow'rful is thine hand, As when the heathens felt thy sword, And perish'd from thy land. 7 Thou wilt prepare our hearts to pray, And cause thine ear to hear…
99 wordsSECTION 33Psalm 11. God loves the righteous and hates the wicked.
1 My refuge is the God of love; Why do my foes insult and cry, "Fly like a timorous trembling dove, "To distant woods or mountains fly"? 2 If government be all destroy'd (That firm foundation of our peace) And violence make justice void, Where shall the righteous seek redress? 3 The Lord in heaven has fix'd his thron…
158 wordsSECTION 34Psalm 12:1. L. M. The saint's safety and hope in evil times; or, Sins of the tongue complained of, viz, blasphemy, falsehood, &c.
1 Lord, if thou dost not soon appear, Virtue and truth will fly away; A faithful man, amongst us here, Will scarce be found if thou delay. 2 The whole discourse, when neighbours meet, Is fill'd with trifles loose and vain; Their lips are flattery and deceit, And their proud language is profane. 3 But lips, that with …
191 wordsSECTION 35Psalm 12:2. C. M. Complaint of a general corruption of manners; or, The promise and signs of Christ's coming to judgment.
1 Help, Lord, for men of virtue fail, Religion loses ground, The sons of violence prevail, And treacheries abound. 2 Their oaths and promises they break, Yet act the flatterer's part; With fair deceitful lips they speak, And with a double heart. 3 If we reprove some hateful lie, How is their fury stirr'd! "Are not ou…
94 wordsSECTION 36PAUSE.
5 Lord, when iniquities abound, And blasphemy grows bold, When faith is hardly to be found, And love is waxing cold, 6 Is not thy chariot hastening on? Hast thou not given this sign? May we not trust and live upon A promise so divine? 7 "Yes," saith the Lord, "now will I rise, "And make oppressors flee; "I shall appe…
93 wordsSECTION 37Psalm 13:1. L. M. Pleading with God under desertion; or, Hope, in darkness.
1 How long, 0 Lord, shall I complain Like one that seeks his God in vain? Canst thou thy face for ever hide? And I still pray and be deny'd? 2 Shall I for ever be forgot As one whom thou regardest not? Still shall my soul thine absence mourn? And still despair of thy return? 3 How long shall my poor troubled breast B…
165 wordsSECTION 38Psalm 13:2. C. M. Complaint under temptations of the devil.
1 How long wilt thou conceal thy face? My God, how long delay? When shall I feel those heavenly rays That chase my fears away? 2 How long shall my poor labouring soul Wrestle and toil in vain? Thy word can all my foes control, And ease my raging pain. 3 See how the prince of darkness tries All his malicious arts, He …
174 wordsSECTION 39Psalm 14:1. First Part. By nature all men are sinners.
1 Fools in their hearts believe and say, "That all religion's vain, "There is no God that reigns on high, "Or minds th' affairs of men." 2 From thoughts so dreadful and profane Corrupt discourse proceeds; And in their impious hands are found Abominable deeds. 3 The Lord, from his celestial throne Look'd down on thing…
144 wordsSECTION 40Psalm 14:2. Second Part. The folly of persecutors.
1 Are sinners now so senseless grown That they thy saints devour? And never worship at thy throne, Nor fear thine awful power? 2 Great God appear to their surprise, Reveal thy dreadful name; Let them no more thy wrath despise, Nor turn our hope to shame. 3 Dost thou not dwell among the just? And yet our foes deride, …
97 wordsSECTION 41Psalm 15:1. C. M. Characters of a saint; or, a citizen of Zion; or, The qualifications of a Christian.
1 Who shall inhabit in thy hill, O God of holiness? Whom will the Lord admit to dwell So near his throne of grace? 2 The man that walks in pious ways, And works with righteous hands; That trusts his Maker's promises, And follows his commands. 3 He speaks the meaning of his heart, Nor slanders with his tongue; Will sc…
120 wordsSECTION 42Psalm 15:2. L. M. Religion and justice, goodness and truth; or, Duties to God and man; or, The qualifications of a Christian.
1 Who shall ascend thy heavenly place, Great God, and dwell before thy face? The man that minds religion now, And humbly walks with God below: 2 Whose hands are pure, whose heart is clean, Whose lips still speak the thing they mean; No slanders dwell upon his tongue; He hates to do his neighbour wrong. 3 [Scarce will…
198 wordsSECTION 43Psalm 16:1. First Part. L. M. Confession of our poverty, and saints the best company; or, Good works profit men, not God.
1 Preserve me, Lord, in time of need For succour to thy throne I flee, But have no merits there to plead; My goodness cannot reach to thee. 2 Oft have my heart and tongue confest How empty and how poor I am; My praise can never make thee blest, Nor add new glories to thy name. 3 Yet, Lord, thy saints on earth may rea…
114 wordsSECTION 44Psalm 16:2. Second Part. L. M. Christ's all-sufficiency.
1 How fast their guilt and sorrows rise Who haste to seek some idol god! I will not taste their sacrifice, Their offerings of forbidden blood. 2 My God provides a richer cup, And nobler food to live upon; He for my life has offer'd up Jesus, his best beloved Son. 3 His love is my perpetual feast; By day his counsels …
106 wordsSECTION 45Psalm 16:3. Third Part. L. M. Courage in death, and hope of the resurrection.
1 When God is nigh, my faith is strong, His arm is my almighty prop: Be glad, my heart; rejoice, my tongue, My dying flesh shall rest in hope. 2 Tho' in the dust I lay my head, Yet, gracious God, thou wilt not leave My soul for ever with the dead, Nor lose thy children in the grave. 3 My flesh shall thy first call ob…
115 wordsSECTION 46Psalm 16:4. First Part. C. M. Support and counsel from God without merit.
1 Save me, O Lord, from every foe; In thee my trust I place, Tho' all the good that I can do Can ne'er deserve thy grace. 2 Yet if my God prolong my breath The saints may profit by't; The saints, the glory of the earth, The men of my delight. 3 Let heathens to their idols haste, And worship wood or stone; But my deli…
151 wordsSECTION 47Psalm 16:5. Second Part. C. M. The death and resurrection of Christ.
1 I Set the Lord before my face, "He bears my courage up; "My heart, and tongue, their joys express, "My flesh shall rest in hope. 2 "My spirit, Lord, thou wilt not leave "Where souls departed are; "Nor quit my body to the grave "To see corruption there. 3 "Thou wilt reveal the path of life, "And raise me to thy thro…
139 wordsSECTION 48Psalm 17:1. 13 &c. S. M. Portion of saints and sinners; or, Hope and despair in death.
1 Arise, my gracious God, And make the wicked flee; They are but thy chastising rod To drive thy saints to thee. 2 Behold the sinner dies, His haughty words are vain; Here in this life his pleasure lies, And all beyond is pain. 3 Then let his pride advance, And boast of all his store: The Lord is my inheritance, My s…
109 wordsSECTION 49Psalm 17:2. L. M. The sinner's portion, and saint's hope; or, The heaven of separate souls, and the resurrection.
1 Lord, I am thine; but thou wilt prove My faith, my patience, and my love; When men of spite against me join, They are the sword, the hand is thine. 2 Their hope and portion lies below; 'Tis all the happiness they know, 'Tis all they seek; they take their shares, And leave the rest among their heirs. 3 What sinners …
167 wordsSECTION 50Psalm 18:1. 1-6 15-18. First Part. L. M. Deliverance from despair; or, Temptations overcome.
1 Thee will I love, O Lord, my strength, My rock, my tower, my high defence, Thy mighty arm shall be my trust, For I have found salvation thence. 2 Death, and the terrors of the grave Stood round me with their dismal shade; While floods of high temptations rose, And made my sinking soul afraid. 3 I saw the opening ga…
222 wordsSECTION 51Psalm 18:2. 20-26. Second Part. L. M. Sincerity proved and rewarded.
1 Lord, thou hast seen my soul sincere, Hast made thy truth and love appear; Before mine eyes I set thy laws, And thou hast own'd my righteous cause. 2 Since I have learnt thy holy ways, I've walk'd upright before thy face; Or if my feet did e'er depart, 'Twas never with a wicked heart. 3 What sore temptations broke …
168 wordsSECTION 52Psalm 18:3. 30 31 34 35 46. 3d Part. L. M. Rejoicing in God; or, Salvation and triumph.
1 Just are thy ways, and true thy word, Great rock of my secure abode; Who is a God beside the Lord? Or where's a refuge like our God? 2 'Tis he that girds me with his might, Gives me his holy sword to wield; And while with sin and hell I fight, Spreads his salvation for my shield. 3 He lives (and blessed be my rock!…
141 wordsSECTION 53Psalm 18:4. First Part. C. M. Victory and triumph over temporal enemies.
1 We love thee, Lord, and we adore, Now is thine arm reveal'd; Thou art our strength, our heavenly tower, Our bulwark and our shield. 2 We fly to our eternal rock, And find a sure defence; His holy name our lips invoke, And draw salvation thence. 3 When God, our leader, shines in arms, What mortal heart can bear The …
193 wordsSECTION 54Psalm 18:5. Second Part. C. M. The conqueror's song.
1 To thine almighty arm we owe The triumphs of the day Thy terrors, Lord, confound the foe, And melt their strength away. 2 'Tis by thine aid our troops prevail, And break united powers, Or burn their boasted fleets, or scale The proudest of their towers. 3 How have we chas'd them thro' the field, And trod them to th…
146 wordsSECTION 55Psalm 19:1. First Part. S. M. The book of nature and scripture.
For a Lord's-day morning. 1 Behold the lofty sky Declares its maker God, And all his starry works on high Proclaim his power abroad. 2 The darkness and the light Still keep their course the same; While night to day, and day to night Divinely teach his name. 3 In every different land Their general voice is known They…
179 wordsSECTION 56Psalm 19:2. Second Part. S. M. God's word most excellent; or, Sincerity and watchfulness.
For a Lord's-day morning. 1 Behold the morning sun Begins his glorious way; His beams thro' all the nations run, And life and light convey. 2 But where the gospel comes, It spreads diviner light, It calls dead sinners from their tombs, And gives the blind their sight. 3 How perfect is thy word! And all thy judgments…
92 wordsSECTION 57PAUSE.
5 I hear thy word with love, And I would fain obey; Send thy good Spirit from above To guide me, lest I stray. 6 O who can ever find The errors of his ways? Yet, with a bold presumptuous mind, I would not dare transgress. 7 Warn me of every sin, Forgive my secret faults, And cleanse this guilty soul of mine, Whose cr…
91 wordsSECTION 58Psalm 19:3. L. M. The books of nature and of scripture compared; or, The glory and success of the gospel.
1 The heavens declare thy glory, Lord, In every star thy wisdom shines; But when our eyes behold thy word We read thy name in fairer lines. 2 The rolling sun, the changing light, And nights and days thy power confess; But the blest volume thou hast writ Reveals thy justice and thy grace. 3 Sun, moon, and stars convey…
167 wordsSECTION 59Psalm 19:4. To the tune of the 113th Psalm. The book of nature and scripture.
1 Great God, the heaven's well-order'd frame Declares the glories of thy name; There thy rich works of wonder shine: A thousand starry beauties there, A thousand radiant marks appear Of boundless power and skill divine. 2 From night to day, from day to night, The dawning and the dying light Lectures of heavenly wisdom…
154 wordsSECTION 60PAUSE.
5 I love the volumes of thy word; What light and joy those leaves afford To souls benighted and distrest! Thy precepts guide my doubtful way, Thy fear forbids my feet to stray; Thy promise leads my heart to rest. 6 From the discoveries of thy law The perfect rules of life I draw, These are my study and delight: Not ho…
158 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.