1 'Twas by an order from the Lord,
The ancient prophets spoke His Word;
His Spirit did their tongues inspire,
And warm'd their hearts with heav'nly fire.
2 The works and wonders which they wrought
Confirmed the messages they brought:
The prophet's pen succeeds His breath,
To save the holy words from death.
3 Great God! mine eyes with pleasure look
Upon Thy precious holy book;
There my Redeemer's face I see,
And read His name who died for me.
4 Let the false raptures of the mind
Be lost, and vanish in the wind;
Here I can fix my hope secure:
This is Thy word, and must endure.
Source: Evangelical Lutheran hymnal: with music #178
First Line: | 'Twas by an order from the Lord |
Title: | Divine Authority of the Bible |
Author: | Isaac Watts |
Meter: | 8.8.8.8 |
Language: | English |
Copyright: | Public Domain |
'Twas by an order from the Lord. I. Watts. [Holy Scriptures]. From his Hymns, 1709.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)