Why should I join with those in play

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Why should I join with those in play

Author: Isaac Watts (1715)
Published in 21 hymnals

Representative Text

Why should I join with those in play
In whom I’ve no delight;
Who curse and swear, but never play;
Who call ill names, and fight?

I hate to hear a wanton song:
Their words offend my ears:
I should not dare defile my tongue
With language such as theirs.

68
Away from fools I’ll turn my eyes,
Nor with the scoffers go:
I would be walking with the wise,
That wiser I may grow.

From one rude boy, that’s used to mock,
They learn the wicked jest:
One sickly sheep infects the flock,
And poisons all the rest.

My God, I hate to walk or dwell
With sinful children here:
Then let me not be sent to hell,
Where none but sinners are.

Source: Divine and Moral Songs: attempted in easy language for the use of children with some additional composures #HXXI

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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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