1 When the fierce north wind, with his airy forces
Rears up the Baltick to a foaming fury:
And the red lightning, with a storm of hail comes,
Rushing amain down.
2 How the poor sailors stand amaz'd and tremble!
While the hoarse thunder like a bloody trumpet,
Roar aloud onset to the gaping waters
Quick to devour them.
3 Such shall the noise be, and the wild disorder,
(If things eternal may be like these earthly)
Such the dire terror when the great arcgangel
Shakes the creation.
4 Tears the strong pillars of the vault of Heaven,
Breaks up old marble, the repose of princes;
See the graves open, and the bones arising.
Flames all around 'em.
5 Hark, the shrill outcries of the guilty wretches!
Lively bright horror, and amazing anguish,
Stare thro' their eye-lids, while the living worm lies
Gnawing within them.
6 Thoughts like old cultures, prey upon their heart strings,
And the smart twinges, when the eye beholds the
Lofty judge frowning, and a flood of vengeance
Rolling afore him.
7 Hopeless immortals! how they scream and shiver,
While devils push them to the pit wide-yawning
Hideous and gloomy, to receive them headlong
Down to the centre.
8 Stop here my fancy, (all away, ye horrid
Doleful ideas) come to JESUS,
How he sits God-like and the saints around him,
Thron'd, yet adoring.
9 O may I sit there when he comes triumphant,
Dooming the nations! then ascend to glory
While our Hosannas all along the passage,
Shout the Redeemer.
Source: A Selection of Psalms and Hymns: done under the appointment of the Philadelphian Association #CCCXLII
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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