Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David ‎#26

26. 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 who minds religion now,
And humbly walk with God below:

2 Whose hands are pure, whose heart is clean;
Whose lips shall speak the things they mean;
No slanders dwell upon his tongue;
He hates to do his neighbour wrong.

3 [Scarce will he trust an ill report,
Nor vent it to his neighbour's hurt:
Sinners of state he can despise,
But saints are honour'd in his eyes.]

4 [Firm to his word he ever stood,
And always makes his promise good
Nor dares to change the thing he swears,
Whatever pain or loss he bears.]

5 [He never deals in bribing gold,
And mourns that justice should be sold:
While others scorn and wrong the poor,
Sweet charity attends his door.]

6 He loves his enemies, and prays
For those that curse him to his face;
And doth to all men still the same
That he would hope or wish from them.

7 Yet, when his holiest works are done,
His soul depends on grace alone:
This is the man thy face shall see,
And dwell for ever, Lord, with thee.

Text Information

• First Line: Who shall ascend thy heavenly place
• Title: Religion and Justice, Goodness and Truth; or, Duties to God and Man; or, the Qualifications of a Christian
• Meter: Long Metre
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1790
• Scripture:
  Psalm 15
• Topic: Charity: and justice; Christian Qualifications; Creation and Providence; Deliverance: by prayer; Duty to God and Man; Faithfulness: of man; Good Works; Justice: and truth towards men; Poor: charity to them; Qualifications of a Christian; Relative duties; Religion: and justice; Saints: characterized; Saints: dwell in heaven

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