1 Why pour’st thou forth thine anxious plaint,
despairing of relief,
as if the Lord o’erlook’d thy cause,
and did not heed thy grief?
2 Hast thou not known, hast thou not heard,
that firm remains on high
the everlasting throne of Him
who form'd the earth and sky?
3 Art thou afraid his pow’r shall fail
when comes thy evil day?
and can an all-creating arm
grow weary or decay?
4 Supreme in wisdom as in pow’r
the Rock of ages stands;
though him thou canst not see, nor trace
the working of his hands.
5 He gives the conquest to the weak,
supports the fainting heart;
and courage in the evil hour
his heav’nly aids impart.
6 Mere human pow’r shall fast decay,
and youthful vigour cease;
but they who wait upon the Lord,
in strength shall still increase.
7 They with unweary'd feet shall tread
the path of life divine;
with growing ardour onward move,
with growing brightness shine.
8 On eagles’ wings they mount, they soar,
their wings are faith and love,
till, past the cloudy regions here,
they rise to heav’n above.
Source: The Irish Presbyterian Hymnbook #R22a
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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