1 Who dares attempt th’Eternal Name
With notes of mortal sound?
Dangers and glories guard the theme,
And spread despair around.
2 Destruction waits t’obey His frown,
And Heav’n attends His smile;
A wreath of lightning arms His crown,
But love adorns it still.
3 Celestial King, our spirits lie
Trembling beneath Thy feet,
And wish, and cast a longing eye,
To reach Thy lofty seat.
4 When shall we see the Great Unknown,
And in Thy presence stand?
Reveal the splendors of Thy throne,
But shield us with Thy hand.
5 In Thee what endless wonders meet!
What various glory shines!
The crossing rays too fiercely beat
Upon our fainting minds.
6 Angels are lost in sweet surprise
If Thou unveil Thy grace;
And humble awe runs thro’ the Skies,
When wrath arrays Thy face.
7 When mercy joins with majesty
To spread their beams abroad,
Not all the fairest minds on high
Are shadows of a God.
8 Thy works the strongest seraph sings
In far too feeble strain.
And labors hard on all his strings
To reach Thy thoughts in vain.
9 Created powers, how weak they be!
How short our praises fall!
So much akin to nothing we,
And Thou th’Eternal All.
Source: The Cyber Hymnal #9146
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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