O Thou whose justice reigns on high

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O Thou whose justice reigns on high

Author: Isaac Watts
Tune: CAITHNESS
Published in 42 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Piano/Organ
	These Forty Days (Lenten Hymn Reflection…

Representative Text

1 O Thou whose justice reigns on high,
And makes the oppressor cease,
Behold how envious sinners try
To vex and break my peace.

2 The sons of violence and lies
Join to devour me, Lord;
But as my hourly dangers rise,
My refuge is thy word.

3 In God most holy, just, and true,
I have repos'd my trust;
Nor will I fear what flesh can do,
The offspring of the dust.

4 They wrest my words to mischief still,
Charge me with unknown faults;
For mischiefs all their counsels fill,
And malice all their thoughts.

5 Shall they 'scape without thy frown?
Must their devices stand?
Oh cast the haughty sinner down,
And let him know thy hand!

6 God counts the sorrows of his saints,
Their groans affect his ears;
Thy mercy counts my just complaints,
And numbers all my tears.

7 When to thy throne I raise my cry,
The wicked fear and flee;
So swift is pray'r to reach the sky,
So near is God to me.

8 In thee, most holy, just and true,
I have repos'd my trust;
Nor will I fear what man can do,
The offspring of the dust.

9 Thy solemn vows are on me, Lord,
Thou shalt receive my praise;
I’ll sing, How faithful is thy word!
How righteous all thy ways!

10 Thou hast secur'd my soul from death,
O set thy pris'ner free,
That heart and hand, and life and breath
May be employ'd for thee.

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.LVI

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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 >

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First Line:	O Thou whose justice reigns on high
Author:	Isaac Watts
Meter:	8.6.8.6
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain

Psalm 56
(hymns)

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Notes

O Thou Whose justice reigns on high. I. Watts. [Psalms lvi.] Appeared in his Psalms of David, &c, 1719, p. 150, in 10 stanzas of 4 lines, and headed "Deliverance from Oppres¬sion and Falsehood; Or, God's care of His People in answer to Faith and Prayer." Three centos are in common use: (1) "O Thou Whose justice reigns on high"; (2) "God counts the sorrows of His saints," and (3) "In God, most holy, just, and true." These centos are not in extensive use.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

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