Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David ‎#180

180. God's gentle Chastisement; or, his tender Mercy to his People

1 The Lord, how wondrous are his ways!
How firm his truth! how large his grace!
He takes his mercy for his throne,
And thence he makes his glories known.

2 Not half so high his power hath spread
The starry heavens above our head,
As his rich love exceeds our praise,
Exceeds the highest hopes we raise.

3 Not half so far hath nature plac'd
The rising morning from the west
As his forgiving grace removes:
The daily guilt of those he loves.

4 How slow his awful wrath to rise!
On swifter wings salvation flies;
And if he lets his anger burn,
How soon his frowns to pity turn!

5 Amidst his wrath compassion shines;
His strokes are lighter than our sins:
And while his rod corrects his saints,
His ear indulges their complaints.

6 So fathers their young sons chastise,
With gentle hand and melting eyes:
The children weep beneath the smart,
And move the pity of their heart.

Pause

7 The mighty God, the wise and just,
Knows that our frame is feeble dust;
And will no heavy loads impose
Beyond the strength that he bestows.

8 He knows how soon our nature dies,
Blasted by every wind that flies;
Like grass we spring, and die as soon,
Or morning flowers that fade at noon.

9 But his eternal love is sure
To all the saints, and shall endure:
From age to age his truth shall reign,
Nor children's children hope in vain.

Text Information

• First Line: The Lord, how wondrous are his ways
• Title: God's gentle Chastisement; or, his tender Mercy to his People
• Meter: Long Metre
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1790
• Scripture:
  Psalm 103
• Topic: Afflictions: gentle; Angels: praise the Lord; Compassion of God; God: goodness and mercy; God: his universal dominion; God: mercy and truth; Goodness of God; Mercies: common and special; Mercies: spiritual and temporal
• Notes: Second Part

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