1 Behold! the grace appears,
The promise is fulfilled!
Mary, the wondrous virgin, bears,
And Jesus is the child.
2 [The Lord, the highest God,
Calls him his only Son;
He bids him rule the lands abroad,
And gives him David’s throne.]
3 [O’er Jacob shall he reign
With a peculiar sway;
The nations shall his grace obtain,
His kingdom ne’er decay.]
4 To bring the glorious news
A heavenly form appears;
He tells the shepherds of their joys,
And banishes their fears.
5 “Go, humble swains,” said he,
“To David’s city fly,
The promised Infant born today
Does in a manger lie.
6 “With looks and hearts serene,
Go visit Christ, your King”;
And straight a flaming troop was seen;
The shepherds heard them sing:
7 “Glory to God on high,
And heavenly peace on earth;
Good will to men, to angels joy,
At the Redeemer’s birth!”
8 [In worship so divine
Let saints employ their tongues;
With the celestial host we join,
And loud repeat their songs:
9 “Glory to God on high,
And heavenly peace on earth;
Good will to men, to angels joy,
At the Redeemer’s birth!”]
Source: A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. In four parts (10th ed.) (Gadsby's Hymns) #38
Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >
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