To thee, O God of truth and love

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To thee, O God of truth and love

Alterer: Joel Barlow; Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 13 hymnals

Representative Text

1 To thee, O God of truth and love,
My spirit I commit;
Thou hast redeem'd my soul from death,
And sav'd me from the pit.

2 Despair and comfort, hope and fear
Maintain'd a doubtful strife;
While sorrow, pain, and sin conspir'd
To take away my life.

3 "My time is in thy hand, I cry'd,
"Though I draw near the dust:"
Thou art the refuge where I hide,
The God in whom I trust.

4 Oh make thy reconciled face
Upon thy servant shine,
And save me for thy mercy's sake,
For I'm entirely thine.

5 'Twas in my haste, my spirit said,
"I must despair and die,
"I am cut off before thine eyes;
But thou hast heart my cry.

6 Thy goodness how divinely free!
How sweet thy smiling face,
To those that fear thy majesty,
and trust thy promis'd grace.

7 Oh love the Lord, all ye his saints,
And sing his praises loud;
He'll bend his ear to your complaints,
And recompense the proud.

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.XXXI.I

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Alterer: Joel Barlow

Barlow, Joel, born at Reading, Connecticut, 1755 [sic], graduated at Yale 1778, and died near Cracow, Poland, 1812, He was well known as an author and politician during and after the American Revolution. His publications include Hasty Pudding; Columbia, &c. In 1785, at the request of the (Congregational) General Association of Connecticut, he corrected and enlarged Dr. Watts's Psalms, supplying those omitted by Watts, and adapting the whole to American thought and circumstances. This work, published in 1786, went through various editions, and, although officially superseded by Dwight in 1800, it continued to be issued for many years after. Its title is somewhat curious as setting forth its design. It reads:— Psalms carefully suited to the… Go to person page >

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:	To thee, O God of truth and love
Author:	Isaac Watts
Alterer:	Joel Barlow
Meter:	8.6.8.6
Source:	"Into thy hand, O God of truth"
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain