The Saints Trial and Safety; or, moderated Afflictions

Representative Text

Firm and unmoved are they
That rest their souls on God;
Firm as the mount where David dwelt,
Or where the ark abode.

As mountains stood to guard
The city's sacred ground,
So God and his almighty love
Embrace his saints around.

What though the Father's rod
Drop a chastising stroke,
Yet, lest it wound their souls too deep,
Its fury shall be broke.

Deal gently, Lord, with those
Whose faith and pious fear,
Whose hope, and love, and every grace,
Proclaim their hearts sincere.

Nor shall the tyrant's rage
Too long oppress the saint;
The God of Isr'el will support
His children lest they faint.

But if our slavish fear
Will choose the road to hell,
We must expect our portion there,
Where bolder sinners dwell.



Source: The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #183

Author: Isaac Watts

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 >

Text Information

First Line: Firm and unmoved are they
Title: The Saints Trial and Safety; or, moderated Afflictions
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 6.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

TRENTHAM

Robert Jackson (b, Oldham, Lancashire, England, 1842; d. Oldham, 1914) originally, composed TRENTHAM as a setting for Henry W. Baker's "O Perfect Life of Love" (380). Named for a village in Staffordshire, England, close to the town in which Jackson was born, the tune was published with the Baker tex…

Go to tune page >


Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #9998
  • PDF (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer Score (NWC)

Instances

Instances (1 - 1 of 1)
TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #9998

Include 59 pre-1979 instances
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us