The Heavens Invite Mine Eye

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The heavens invite mine eye

Author: Isaac Watts
Tune: MORNINGTON (Mornington)
Published in 6 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 The heavens invite mine eye,
The stars salute me round;
Father, I blush, I mourn to lie
Thus groveling on the ground.

2 My warmer spirits move,
And make attempts to fly;
I wish aloud for wings of love
To raise me swift and high.

3 Beyond those crystal vaults,
And all their sparkling balls;
They’re but the porches to Thy courts,
And paintings of Thy walls.

4 Vain world, farewell to you;
Heaven is my native air;
I bid my friends a short adieu,
Impatient to be there.

5 I feel my powers released
From their old fleshy clod;
Fair guardian, bear me up in haste,
And set me near my God.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #12187

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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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