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
Psalm 69:5. 7 &c. Second Part. L. M. Christ's sufferings and zeal.
1 'Twas for thy sake, eternal God, Thy son sustain'd that heavy load Of base reproach and sore disgrace, And shame defil'd his sacred face. 2 The Jews, his brethren and his kin, Abus'd the man that check'd their sin: While he fulfill'd thy holy laws, They hate him, but without a cause. 3 ["My Father's house, said he,…
224 wordsSECTION 182Psalm 71:1. 5-9. First Part. The aged saint's reflection and hope.
1 My God, my everlasting hope, I live upon thy truth; Thine hands have held my childhood up, And strengthen'd all my youth. 2 My flesh was fashion'd by thy power, With all these limbs of mine; And from my mother's painful hour I've been entirely thine. 3 Still has my life new wonders seen Repeated every year; Behold …
118 wordsSECTION 183Psalm 71:2. 15 14 16 23 22 24. 2d Part. Christ our strength and righteousness.
1 My Saviour, my almighty Friend, When I begin thy praise, Where will the growing numbers end, The numbers of thy grace? 2 Thou art my everlasting trust, Thy goodness I adore; And since I knew thy graces first I speak thy glories more. 3 My feet shall travel all the length Of the celestial road, And march with courag…
161 wordsSECTION 184Psalm 71:3. 17-21. Third Part. The aged Christian's prayer and song; or, Old age, death, and the resurrection.
1 God of my childhood and my youth, The guide of all my days, I have declar'd 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 l…
98 wordsSECTION 185PAUSE.
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 endur'd the grief; But when thy hand has press'd me sore, Thy grace was my relief. 7 By long experience have I known Thy sovereign power to save;…
96 wordsSECTION 186Psalm 72:1. First Part. The kingdom of Christ.
1 Great God, whose universal sway The known and unknown worlds obey, Now give the kingdom to thy Son, Extend his power, exalt his throne. 2 Thy sceptre well becomes his hands, All heaven submits to his commands; His justice shall avenge the poor, And pride and rage prevail no more. 3 With power he vindicates the just…
159 wordsSECTION 187Psalm 72:2. Second Part. Christ's kingdom among the Gentiles.
1 Jesus shall reign where'er the sun Does his successive journies run; His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more. 2 [Behold the islands with their kings, And Europe her best tribute brings; From north to south the princes meet To pay their homage at his feet. 3 There Persia glorio…
207 wordsSECTION 188Psalm 73:1. First Part. C. M. Afflicted saints happy, and prosperous sinners cursed.
1 Now I'm convinc'd the Lord is kind To men of heart sincere, Yet once my foolish thoughts repin'd And border'd on despair. 2 I griev'd to see the wicked thrive, And spoke with angry breath, "How pleasant and profane they live! "How peaceful is their death! 3 "With well-fed flesh and haughty eyes "They lay their fear…
244 wordsSECTION 189Psalm 73:2. 23-8. Second Part. God our portion here and hereafter.
1 God my supporter and my hope, My help for ever near, Thine arm of mercy held me up When sinking in despair. 2 Thy counsels, Lord, shall guide my feet Thro' this dark wilderness; Thine hand conduct me near thy seat To dwell before thy face. 3 Were I in heaven without my God, 'Twould be no joy to me; And whilst this …
151 wordsSECTION 190Psalm 73:3. 22 3 6 17-20. L. M. The prosperity of sinners cursed.
1 Lord, what a thoughtless wretch was I, To mourn, and murmur, and repine To see the wicked plac'd on high, In pride and robes of honour shine! 2 But O their end, their dreadful end! Thy sanctuary taught me so: On slippery rocks I see them stand, And fiery billows roll below. 3 Now let them boast how tall they rise, …
137 wordsSECTION 191Psalm 73:4. S. M. The mystery of providence unfolded.
1 Sure there's a righteous God, Nor is religion vain, Tho' men of vice may boast aloud, And men of grace complain. 2 I saw the wicked rise, And felt my heart repine, While haughty fools with scornful eyes In robes of honour shine. 3 [Pamper'd with wanton ease, Their flesh looks full and fair, Their wealth rolls in li…
226 wordsSECTION 192Psalm 74. The church pleading with God under sore persecutions.
1 Will God for ever cast us off? His wrath for ever smoke Against the people of his love, His little chosen flock? 2 Think of the tribes so dearly bought With their Redeemer's blood; Nor let thy Sion be forgot, Where once thy glory stood. 3 Lift up thy feet and march in haste, Aloud our ruin calls; See what a wide an…
192 wordsSECTION 193PAUSE.
9 How long, eternal God, how long Shall men of pride blaspheme? Shall saints be made their endless song, And bear immortal shame? 10 Canst thou for ever sit and hear Thine holy Name profan'd? And still thy jealousy forbear, And still withhold thine hand? 11 What strange deliverance hast thou shown In ages long before…
466 wordsSECTION 194Psalm 76. Israel saved, and the Assyrians destroyed; or, God's vengeance against his enemies proceeds from his church.
1 In Judah God of old was known; His Name in Israel great; In Salem stood his holy throne, And Sion was his seat. 2 Among the praises of his saints His dwelling there he chose; There he receiv'd their just complaints Against their haughty foes. 3 From Sion went his dreadful word, And broke the threatening spear; The …
244 wordsSECTION 195Psalm 77:1. First Part. Melancholy assaulting, and hope prevailing.
1 To God I cry'd with mournful voice, I sought his gracious ear, In the sad day when troubles rose, And fill'd the night with fear. 2 Sad were my days, and dark my nights, My soul refus'd relief; I thought on God the just and wise, But thoughts increas'd my grief. 3 Still I complain'd, and still opprest, My heart beg…
239 wordsSECTION 196Psalm 77:2. Second Part. Comfort derived from ancient providences; or, Israel delivered from Egypt, and brought to Canaan.
1 "How awful is thy chastening rod!" (May thine own children say) "The great, the wise, the dreadful God! "How holy is his way!" 2 I'll meditate his works of old; The King that reigns above; I'll hear his ancient wonders told, And learn to trust his love. 3 Long did the house of Joseph lie With Egypt's yoke opprest: …
237 wordsSECTION 197Psalm 78:1. First Part. Providence of God recorded; or, Pious education and instruction of children.
1 Let children hear the mighty deeds, Which God perform'd of old, Which in our younger years we saw, And which our fathers told. 2 He bids us make his glories known, His works of power and grace; And we'll convey his wonders down Thro' every rising race. 3 Our lips shall tell them to our Sons, And they again to their…
95 wordsSECTION 198Psalm 78:2. Second Part. Israel's rebellion and punishment; or, The sins and chastisements of God's people.
1 What a stiff rebellious house Was Jacob's ancient race! False to their own most solemn vows, And to their Maker's grace. 2 They broke the covenant of his love, And did his laws despise, Forgot the works he wrought to prove His power before their eyes. 3 They saw the plagues on Egypt light, From his revenging hand: …
187 wordsSECTION 199Psalm 78:3. Third Part. The punishment of luxury and intemperance; or, Chastisement and salvation.
1 When Israel sins, the Lord reproves, And fills their hearts with dread; Yet he forgives the men he loves, And sends them heavenly bread. 2 He fed them with a liberal hand, And made his treasures known; He gave the midnight clouds command To pour provision down. 3 The manna, like a morning shower, Lay thick around t…
198 wordsSECTION 200Psalm 78:4. 32 &c. Fourth Part. Backsliding and forgiveness; or, Sin punished, and saints saved.
1 Great God, how oft did Israel prove By turns thine anger and thy love! There in a glass our hearts may see How fickle and how false they be. 2 How soon the faithless Jews forgot The dreadful wonders God had wrought! Then they provoke him to his face, Nor fear his power, nor trust his grace. 3 The Lord consum'd thei…
196 wordsSECTION 201Psalm 80. The church's prayer under affliction; or, The vineyard of God wasted.
1 Great Shepherd of thine Israel, Who didst between the cherubs dwell, And led the tribes, thy chosen sheep, Safe thro' the desert and the deep. 2 Thy church is in the desert now, Shine from on high and guide us thro'; Turn us to thee, thy love restore, We shall be sav'd, and sigh no more. 3 Great God, whom heavenly …
115 wordsSECTION 202PAUSE I.
5 Hast thou not planted with thy hands A lovely vine in heathen lands? Did not thy power defend it round, And heavenly dews enrich the ground? 6 How did the spreading branches shoot, And bless the nations with the fruit! But now, dear Lord, look down and see Thy mourning vine, that lovely tree. 7 Why is its beauty th…
107 wordsSECTION 203PAUSE II.
9 Lord, when this vine in Canaan grew Thou wast its strength and glory too; Attack'd in vain by all its foes, Till the fair Branch of Promise rose; 10 Fair Branch, ordain'd of old to shoot From David's stock, from Jacob's root; Himself a noble vine, and we The lesser branches of the tree. 11 'Tis thy own Son, and he …
115 wordsSECTION 204Psalm 81. 1 8 16. The warnings of God to his people; or, Spiritual blessings and punishments.
1 Sing to the Lord aloud, And make a joyful noise; God is our strength, our Saviour God; Let Israel hear his voice. 2 "From vile idolatry "Preserve my worship clean; "I am the Lord who set thee free "From slavery and sin. 3 "Stretch thy desires abroad, "And I'll supply them well "But if ye will refuse your God, "If I…
136 wordsSECTION 205Psalm 82. God the supreme Governor; or, Magistrates warned.
1 Among th' assemblies of the great, A greater Ruler takes his seat; The God of heaven, as Judge, surveys Those gods on earth and all their ways. 2 Why will ye then frame wicked laws? Or why support th' unrighteous cause? When will ye once defend the poor, That sinners vex the saints no more? 3 They know not, Lord, n…
115 wordsSECTION 206Psalm 83. A complaint against persecutors.
1 And will the God of grace Perpetual silence keep? The God of justice hold his peace, And let his vengeance sleep? 2 Behold what cursed snares The men of mischief spread; The men that hate thy saints and thee Lift up their threatening head. 3 Against thy hidden ones Their counsels they employ, And malice with her wa…
175 wordsSECTION 207Psalm 84:1. First Part. L. M. The pleasure of public worship.
1 How pleasant, how divinely fair, O Lord of hosts, thy dwellings are! With long desire my spirit faints To meet th' assemblies of thy saints. 2 My flesh would rest in thine abode, My panting heart cries out for God; My God! my King! why should I be So far from all my joys and thee? 3 The sparrow chuses where to rest…
197 wordsSECTION 208Psalm 84:2. Second Part. L. M. God and his church; or, Grace and glory.
1 Great God, attend, while Sion sings The joy that from thy presence springs To spend one day with thee on earth Exceeds a thousand days of mirth. 2 Might I enjoy the meanest place Within thine house, O God of grace, Not tents of ease, nor thrones of power, Should tempt my feet to leave thy door. 3 God is our sun, he…
144 wordsSECTION 209Psalm 84:3. 14 2 3 10. Paraphrased. C. M. Delight in ordinances of worship; or, God present in his churches.
1 My soul, how lovely is the place To which thy God resorts! 'Tis heaven to see his smiling face, Tho' in his earthly courts. 2 There the great Monarch of the skies His saving power displays, And light breaks in upon our eyes With kind and quickening rays. 3 With his rich gifts the heavenly Dove Descends and fills th…
97 wordsSECTION 210PAUSE.
5 My heart and flesh cry out for thee, While far from thine abode: When shall I tread thy courts, and see My Saviour and my God? 6 The sparrow builds herself a nest, And suffers no remove; O make me like the sparrows, blest, To dwell but where I love. 7 To sit one day beneath thine eye, And hear thy gracious voice, E…
122 wordsSECTION 211Psalm 84:4. As the 148th Psalm. Longing for the house of God.
1 Lord of the worlds above, How pleasant and how fair The dwellings of thy love, Thy earthly temples are! To thine abode My heart aspires, With warm desires To see my God. 2 The sparrow, for her young, With pleasure seeks her nest; And wandering swallows long To find their wonted rest: My spirit faints With equal zeal…
136 wordsSECTION 212PAUSE.
5 To spend one sacred day Where God and saints abide, Affords diviner joy Than thousand days beside; Where God resorts, I love it more To keep the door Than shine in courts. 6 God is our sun and shield, Our light and our defence With gifts his hands are fill'd, We draw our blessings thence; He shall bestow On Jacob's …
101 wordsSECTION 213Psalm 85:1. 1-8. First Part. Waiting for an answer to prayer; or, Deliverance begun and completed.
1 Lord, thou hast call'd thy grace to mind, Thou hast revers'd our heavy doom: So God forgave when Israel sinn'd, And brought his wandering captives home. 2 Thou hast begun to set us free, And made thy fiercest wrath abate; Now let our hearts be turn'd to thee, And thy salvation be complete. 3 Revive our dying graces…
110 wordsSECTION 214Psalm 85:2. 9 &c. Second Part. Salvation by Christ.
1 Salvation is for ever nigh The souls that fear and trust the Lord; And grace descending from on high, Fresh hopes of glory shall afford. 2 Mercy and truth on earth are met, Since Christ the Lord came down from heaven; By his obedience, so complete, Justice is pleas'd, and peace is given. 3 Now truth and honour shal…
105 wordsSECTION 215Psalm 86. 8-13. A general song of praise to God.
1 Among the princes, earthly gods, There's none hath power divine; Nor is their nature, mighty Lord, Nor are their works like thine. 2 The nations thou hast made shall bring Their offerings round thy throne; For thou alone dost wondrous things, For thou art God alone. 3 Lord, I would walk with holy feet; Teach me thi…
97 wordsSECTION 216Psalm 87. The church the birth-place of the saints; or, Jews and Gentiles united in the Christian Church.
1 God in his earthly temple lays Foundations for his heavenly praise: He likes the tents of Jacob well, But still in Zion loves to dwell. 2 His mercy visits every house That pay their night and morning vows; But makes a more delightful stay Where churches meet to praise and pray. 3 What glories were describ'd of old!…
131 wordsSECTION 217Psalm 89:1. First Part. L. M. The covenant made with Christ; or, the true David.
1 For ever shall my song record The truth and mercy of the Lord; Mercy and truth for ever stand, Like heaven, establish'd by his hand. 2 Thus to his Son he sware, and said, "With thee my covenant first is made; "In thee shall dying sinners live, "Glory and grace are thine to give. 3 "Be thou my prophet, thou my pries…
163 wordsSECTION 218Psalm 89:2. First Part. C. M. The faithfulness of God.
1 My never-ceasing songs shall show The mercies of the Lord, And make succeeding ages know How faithful is his word. 2 The sacred truths his lips pronounce Shall firm as heaven endure; And if he speak a promise once, Th' eternal grace is sure. 3 How long the race of David held The promis'd Jewish throne! But there's …
114 wordsSECTION 219Psalm 89:3. 7 &c. Second Part. The power and majesty of God; or, Reverential worship.
1 With reverence let the saints appear And bow before the Lord, His high commands with reverence hear, And tremble at his word. 2 How terrible thy glories be! How bright thine armies shine! Where is the power that vies with thee? Or truth compar'd to thine? 3 The northern pole and southern rest On thy supporting hand…
142 wordsSECTION 220Psalm 89:4. 15 &c. Third Part. A blessed gospel.
1 Blest are the souls that hear and know The gospel's joyful sound; Peace shall attend the path they go, And light their steps surround. 2 Their joy shall bear their spirits up Thro' their Redeemer's Name; His righteousness exalts their hope, Nor Satan dares condemn. 3 The Lord, our glory and defence, Strength and sa…
68 wordsSECTION 221Psalm 89:5. 19 &c. Fourth Part. Christ's mediatorial kingdom; or, His divine and human nature.
1 Hear what the Lord in vision said, And made his mercy known: "Sinners, behold your help is laid "On my almighty Son. 2 "Behold the man my wisdom chose "Among your mortal race; "His head my holy oil o'erflows, "The Spirit of my grace. 3 "High shall he reign on David's throne, "My people's better King; "My arm shall …
168 wordsSECTION 222Psalm 89:6. 30 &c. Fifth Part. The covenant of grace unchangeable; or, Afflictions without rejection.
1 "Yet (saith the Lord) if David's race, "The children of my Son, "Should break my laws, abuse my grace, "And tempt mine anger down; 2 "Their sins I'll visit with the rod, "And make their folly smart; "But I'll not cease to be their God, "Nor from my truth depart. 3 "My covenant I will ne'er revoke, "But keep my grac…
150 wordsSECTION 223Psalm 89:7. 47 &c. Sixth Part. Mortality and hope. A funeral psalm.
1 Remember, Lord, our mortal state, How frail our life, how short the date! Where is the man that draws his breath Safe from disease, secure from death? 2 Lord, while we see whole nations die, Our flesh and sense repine and cry, "Must death for ever rage and reign? "Or hast thou made mankind in vain? 3 "Where is thy …
111 wordsSECTION 224Psalm 89:8. 47 &c. Last Part. As the 113th Psalm. Life, death, and the resurrection.
1 Think, mighty God, on feeble man, How few his hours, how short his span! Short from the cradle to the grave: Who can secure his vital breath Against the bold demands of death, With skill to fly, or power to save? 2 Lord, shall it be for ever said, "The race of man was only made "For sickness, sorrow, and the dust?" …
163 wordsSECTION 225Psalm 90:1. L. M. Man mortal, and God eternal. A mournful song at a funeral.
1 Thro' every age, eternal God, Thou art our rest, our safe abode; High was thy throne ere heaven was made, Or earth thy humble footstool laid. 2 Long hadst thou reign'd ere time began, Or dust was fashion'd to a man; And long thy kingdom shall endure When earth and time shall be no more. 3 But man, weak man, is born…
108 wordsSECTION 226PAUSE.
5 Death like an overflowing stream Sweeps us away; our life's a dream; An empty tale; a morning flower Cut down and wither'd in an hour. 6 [Our age to seventy years is set; How short the term! how frail the state! And if to eighty we arrive, We rather sigh and groan than live. 7 But O how oft thy wrath appears, And c…
112 wordsSECTION 227Psalm 90:2. 1-5. First Part. C. M. Man frail, and God eternal.
1 Our God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home. 2 Under the shadow of thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; Sufficient is thine arm alone, And our defence is sure. 3 Before the hills in order stood, Or earth receiv'd her frame, From everlasting…
212 wordsSECTION 228Psalm 90:3. 8 11 9 10 12. 2d Part. C. M. Infirmities and mortality the effect of sin; or, Life, old age, and preparation for death.
1 Lord, if thine eyes survey our faults, And justice grow severe, Thy dreadful wrath exceeds our thoughts, And burns beyond our fear. 2 Thine anger turns our frame to dust; By one offence to thee Adam with all his sons have lost Their immortality. 3 Life like a vain amusement flies, A fable or a song; By swift degree…
163 wordsSECTION 229Psalm 90:4. 13 &c. Third Part. C. M. Breathing after heaven.
1 Return, O God of love, return; Earth is a tiresome place: How long shall we thy children mourn Our absence from thy face! 2 Let heaven succeed our painful years, Let sin and sorrow cease, And in proportion to our tears So make our joys increase. 3 Thy wonders to thy servants show, Make thy own work complete, Then s…
96 wordsSECTION 230Psalm 90:5. 5 10 12. S. M. The frailty and shortness of life.
1 Lord what a feeble piece Is this our mortal frame! Our life how poor a trifle 'tis, That scarce deserves the name! 2 Alas the brittle clay That built our body first! And every month, and every day 'Tis mouldering back to dust. 3 Our moments fly apace, Nor will our minutes stay; Just like a flood our hasty days Are …
111 wordsSECTION 231Psalm 91:1. 1-7. First Part. Safety in public diseases and dangers.
1 He that hath made his refuge God, Shall find a most secure abode, Shall walk all day beneath his shade, And there at night shall rest his head. 2 Then will I say, "My God, thy power "Shall be my fortress and my tower; "I that am form'd of feeble dust "Make thine almighty arm my trust." 3 Thrice happy man! thy Maker…
163 wordsSECTION 232PAUSE.
7 What though a thousand at thy side, At thy right hand ten thousand dy'd, Thy God his chosen people saves Amongst the dead, amidst the graves. 8 So when he sent his angel down To make his wrath in Egypt known, And slew their sons, his careful eye Pass'd all the doors of Jacob by. 9 But if the fire, or plague, or swo…
111 wordsSECTION 233Psalm 91:2. 1-16. Second Part. Protection from death, guard of angels, victory and deliverance.
1 Ye sons of men, a feeble race, Expos'd to every snare, Come make the Lord your dwelling-place, And try and trust his care. 2 No ill shall enter where you dwell; Or if the plague come nigh, And sweep the wicked down to hell, 'Twill raise his saints on high. 3 He'll give his angels charge to keep Your feet in all the…
203 wordsSECTION 234Psalm 92:1. First Part. A psalm for the Lord's day.
1 Sweet is the work, my God my King, To praise thy Name, give thanks and sing, To shew thy love by morning light, And talk of all thy truth at night. 2 Sweet is the day of sacred rest, No mortal cares shall seize my breast; O may my heart in tune be found Like David's harp of solemn sound! 3 My heart shall triumph in…
202 wordsSECTION 235Psalm 92:2. 12 &c. Second Part. The church is the garden of God.
1 Lord, 'tis a pleasant thing to stand In gardens planted by thine hand; Let me within thy courts be seen Like a young cedar fresh and green. 2 There grow thy saints in faith and love, Blest with thine influence from above; Not Lebanon with all its trees Yields such a comely sight as these. 3 The plants of grace shal…
111 wordsSECTION 236Psalm 93:1. 1st Metre. As 100th Psalm. The eternal and sovereign God.
1 Jehovah reigns; he dwells in light, Girded with majesty and might: The world created by his hands Still on its first foundation stands. 2 But ere this spacious world was made, Or had its first foundations laid, Thy throne eternal ages stood, Thyself the ever-living God. 3 Like floods the angry nations rise And aim …
97 wordsSECTION 237Psalm 93:2. 2d M. As the old 50th Psalm. The same.
1 The Lord of glory reigns; he reigns on high; His robes of state are strength and majesty: This wide creation rose at his command, Built by his word, and 'stablish'd by his hand: Long stood his throne ere he began creation, And his own Godhead is the firm foundation. 2 God is th' eternal King: thy foes in vain Raise …
154 wordsSECTION 238Psalm 93:3. 3d M. As the old 122d Psalm. The same.
1 The Lord Jehovah reigns And royal state maintains, His head with awful glories crown'd; Array'd in robes of light, Begirt with sovereign might, And rays of majesty around. 2 Upheld by thy commands The world securely stands; And skies and stars obey thy word: Thy throne was fix'd on high Before the starry sky; Eterna…
168 wordsSECTION 239Psalm 94:1. 1 2 7-14. First Part. Saints chastised, and sinners destroyed; or, Instructive afflictions.
1 God, to whom revenge belongs, Proclaim thy truth aloud Let Sovereign Power redress our wrongs, Let justice smite the proud. 2 They say, "The Lord nor sees nor hears;" When will the fools be wise! Can he be deaf who form'd their ears? Or blind, who made their eyes? 3 He knows their impious thoughts are vain, And the…
145 wordsSECTION 240Psalm 94:2. 16-23. Second Part. God our support and comfort; or, Deliverance from temptation and persecution.
1 Who will arise and plead my right Against my numerous foes, While earth and hell their force unite, And all my hopes oppose? 2 Had not the Lord, my rock, my help, Sustain'd my fainting head, My life had now in silence dwelt, My soul amongst the dead. 3 "Alas! my sliding feet," I cry'd; Thy promise was my prop; Thy …
140 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.