1 Behold the sons, the heirs of God,
So dearly bought with Jesu's blood!
Are they not born to heav'nly joys,
And shall they stoop to earthly toys?
2 Can laughter feed th' immortal mind?
Were spirits of celestial kind
Made for a jest, for sport and play,
To wear out time and waste the day?
3 Doth vain discourse, or empty mirth,
Well suit the honors of their birth?
Shall they be fond of gay attire,
Which children love, and fools admire?
4 Lord, with a heav'n-directed eye,
We'll pass these glittering trifles by.
Oh, raise our hearts and passions higher;
Touch our vain souls with sacred fire;
6 Then we will look on toys below
With such disdain as angels do;
And wait the call that bids us rise
To mansions promis'd in the skies.
Source: The Hartford Selection of Hymns: from the most approved authors: to which are added a number never before published (2nd ed.) #CXXXVI
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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