To thee, before the dawning light

To thee, before the dawning light

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 76 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

To you, before the dawning light,
my gracious God, I pray;
I meditate your name by night,
and keep your law by day.

When midnight darkness veils the skies,
I call your works to mind;
my thoughts in hushed devotion rise,
and sweet acceptance find.

Throughout my day I'll lift my hands,
and give you thanks in prayer;
your righteous providence demands
my praise for all your care.

My spirit joys to see your grace;
your promise bears me up;
and if salvation long delays,
your word supports my hope.


Source: In Melody and Songs: hymns from the Psalm versions of Isaac Watts #73

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: To thee, before the dawning light
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #12899
  • PDF (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer Score (NWC)

Instances

Instances (1 - 76 of 76)
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A Manual of Devotion for Soldiers and Sailors #58

Cantica Laudis #d324

Christian Psalms and Hymns to Aid in Public and Private Devotion #d965

Church Melodies, a Collection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs #d1087

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Church Psalmist #P119d

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Church Psalmist #P119d

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Church Psalmist #P119d

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Church Psalmody #P119.3

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Church Psalmody #P119c

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Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David, corrected and enlarged, to which is added a collection of hymns; the whole applied to the state of the Christian Church in general (2nd ed.) #224a

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Doctor Watts's imitation of the Psalms of David, to which is added a collection of hymns; the whole applied to the state of the Christian Church in general (3rd ed.) #211a

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Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David #224a

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Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David #211a

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Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David #CXIXb

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Dr. Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David #261a

Family Hymns #d255

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Hymns for Christian Melody #539

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Hymns for Family Worship, with Prayers for Every Day in the Week (2nd ed.) #66

Text

In Melody and Songs #73

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Manual of Christian Psalmody #P119c

Melodies of the Church #d1042

Musica Sacra; or Springfield and Utica Collections United #d156

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Musica Sacra #158

Parish Psalmody #d854

Parish Psalmody #d870

Psalmista #d251

Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Social, Private and Public Worship #d844

Text

Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #Ps.265

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Psalms and Hymns, Adapted to Public Worship #P119.2

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Psalms and Hymns, for Christian Use and Worship #P119.2

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Psalms and Hymns #P119c

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Psalms, carefully suited to the Christian worship in the United States of America #246b

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Psalms #119b

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Sacred Songs for Family and Social Worship #212

Seamen's Devotional Assistant and Mariners' Hymns (American Seamen's Friend Society) #d525

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Selah #114b

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Songs for Social and Public Worship #375

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The Christian Psalmist; or, Watts' Psalms and Hymns #P119b

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The Christian Psalmist #P119c

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The Columbian Repository #282

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The Congregational Hymn Book #648

TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #12899

The Family Choir #d45

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The Harp #532

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The Harp. 2nd ed. #a532

The Imperial Harmony #d295

The Modern Psalmist #d342

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The New Congregational Hymn and Tune Book, for Public, Social and Private Worship #391

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The New York Choralist #122

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The New York Choralist #127

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The Psalmist #710

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The Psalmist #710

The Psalmodist #d242

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The Psalmody #577

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The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #409

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The Psalms and Hymns #P119b

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The Psalms of David #CXIXb

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The Psalms of David #P119b

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The Psalms of David #217

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The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. #119b

The Psaltery #d292

The Temple Harp #d357

The Vestry Hymn Book #d495

The Victory #d410

Exclude 74 pre-1979 instances
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