1 Lord, we have heard thy works of old,
Thy works of pow'r and grace,
When to our ears our fathers told
The wonder of their days.
2 They saw the beaut'ous churches rise,
The spreading gospel run;
While light and glory from the skies
through all their temples shone.
3 In God they boasted all the day,
And in a cheerful throng
Did thousands meet to praise and pray,
And grace was all their song.
4 But now our souls are seiz'd with shame,
Confusion fills our face,
To hear the enemy blaspheme,
And fools reproach thy grace.
5 Yet have we not forgot our God,
Nor falsely dealt with heav'n,
Nor have our steps declin'd the road
Of duty thou hast giv’n.
6 Though dragons all around us roar
With their destructive breath,
And thine own hand has bruis'd us sore
Hard by the gates of death.
7 We are expos'd all day to die,
As martyrs for thy name;
As sheep for slaughter bound we lie,
And wait the kindling flame.
8 Awake, arise, almighty Lord,
Why sleeps Thy wonted grace?
Why should we look like men abhor'd,
Or banish'd from thy face?
9 Wilt thou for ever cast us off
And still neglect our cries:
For ever hide thine heav’nly love
From our afflicted eyes?
10 Down to the dust our soul is bow'd,
And dies upon the ground;
Rise for our help, rebuke the proud,
And all their pow'rs confound.
11 Redeem us from perpetual shame,
Our Saviour and our God;
We plead the honors of thy name,
The merits of thy blood.
Source: Church Hymn Book: consisting of newly composed hymns with the addition of hymns and psalms, from other authors, carefully adapted for the use of public worship, and many other occasions (1st ed.) #P.XLIV
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 >
My Starred Hymns
My FlexScores
My Hymnals
My Purchased Files