Hymns and Spiritual Songs
by
Isaac Watts
Part 6 out of 7
Hymn 2:151.
Prophesy and inspiration.
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 heavenly fire.
2 The works and wonders which they wrought
Confirm'd 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
On the dear volume of thy book;
There my Redeemer's face I see,
And read his name who dy'd for me.
4 Let the false raptures of the mind
Be lost and vanish in the wind;
Here I can fix my hopes secure,
This is thy word, and must endure.
Hymn 2:152.
Sinai and Sion, Heb. 12. 18 &c.
1 Not to the terrors of the Lord,
The tempest, fire, and smoke,
Not to the thunder of that word
Which God on Sinai spoke;
2 But we are come to Sion's hill,
The city of our God,
Where milder words declare his will
And spread his love abroad.
3 Behold th' innumerable host
Of angels cloth'd in light!
Behold the spirits of the just
Whose faith is turn'd to sight!
4 Behold the bless'd assembly there,
Whose names are writ in heaven;
And God the judge of all declares
Their vilest sins forgiven.
5 The saints on earth and all the dead
But one communion make;
All join in Christ their living head,
And of his grace partake.
6 In such society as this
My weary soul would rest:
The man that dwells where Jesus is,
Must be for ever blest.
Hymn 2:153.
The distemper, folly, and madness of sin.
1 Sin like a venomous disease
Infects our vital blood;
The only balm is sovereign grace,
And the physician, God.
2 Our beauty and our strength are fled,
And we draw near to death;
But Christ the Lord recalls the dead
With his almighty breath.
3 Madness by nature reigns within,
The passions burn and rage;
Till God's own Son with skill divine
The inward fire assuage.
4 [We lick the dust, we grasp the wind,
And solid good despise;
Such is the folly of the mind,
Till Jesus makes us wise.
5 We give our souls the wounds they feel,
We drink the poisonous gall,
And rush with fury down to hell;
But heaven prevents the fall.]
6 [The man possess'd amongst the tombs,
Cuts his own flesh and cries;
He foams, and raves, till Jesus comes,
And the foul spirit flies.]
Hymn 2:154.
Self-righteousness insufficient.
1 "Where are the mourners, [1] (saith the Lord)
"That wait and tremble at my word,
"That walk in darkness all the day?
"Come, make my name your trust and stay.
2 ["No works nor duties of your own
"Can for the smallest sin atone;
"The robes [2] that nature may provide
"Will not your least pollutions hide.
3 "The softest couch that nature knows
"Can give the conscience no repose:
"Look to my righteousness, and live;
"Comfort and peace are mine to give.]
4 "Ye sons of pride that kindle coals
"With your own hands to warm your souls,
"Walk in the light of your own fire,
"Enjoy the sparks that ye desire.
5 "This is your portion at my hands;
"Hell waits you with her iron bands,
"Ye shall lie down in sorrow there,
"In death, in darkness, and despair."
[1] Isaiah 1:10-11. [2] Isaiah 28:20.
Hymn 2:155.
Christ our passover.
1 Lo the destroying angel flies
To Pharaoh's stubborn land:
The pride and flower of Egypt dies
By his vindictive hand.
2 He pass'd the tents of Jacob o'er,
Nor pour'd the wrath divine;
He saw the blood on every door,
And bless'd the peaceful sign.
3 Thus th' appointed Lamb must bleed
To break th' Egyptian yoke;
Thus Israel is from bondage freed,
And 'scapes the angel's stroke.
4 Lord, if my heart were sprinkled too
With blood so rich as thine,
Justice no longer would pursue
This guilty soul of mine.
5 Jesus our passover was slain,
And has at once procur'd
Freedom from Satan's heavy chain,
And God's avenging sword.
Hymn 2:156.
Presumption and despair;
or, Satan's various temptations.
1 I hate the tempter and his charms,
I hate his flattering breath;
The serpent takes a thousand forms
To cheat our souls to death.
2 He feeds our hopes with airy dreams,
Or kills with slavish fear;
And holds us still in wide extremes,
Presumption, or despair.
3 Now he persuades, "How easy 'tis
"To walk the road to heaven;"
Anon he swells our sins, and cries,
"They cannot be forgiven."
4 [He bids young sinners, "Yet forbear
"To think of God or death;
"For prayer and devotion are
"But melancholy breath."
5 He tells the aged, "They must die,
"And 'tis too late to pray;
"In vain for mercy now they cry,
"For they have lost their day."]
6 Thus he supports his cruel throne
By mischief and deceit;
And drags the sons of Adam down
To darkness and the pit.
7 Almighty God, cut short his power,
Let him in darkness dwell;
And, that he vex the earth no more,
Confine him down to hell.
Hymn 2:157.
The same.
1 Now Satan comes with dreadful roar,
And threatens to destroy;
He worries whom he can't devour
With a malicious joy.
2 Ye sons of God, oppose his rage,
Resist, and he'll be gone;
Thus did our dearest Lord engage
And vanquish him alone.
3 Now he appears almost divine
Like innocence and love,
But the old serpent lurks within
When he assumes the dove.
4 Fly from the false deceiver's tongue,
Ye Sons of Adam, fly;
Our parents found the snare too strong,
Nor should the children try.
Hymn 2:158.
Few saved; or, The almost Christian,
the hypocrite, and apostate.
1 Broad is the road that leads to death,
And thousands walk together there;
But wisdom shews a narrower path,
With here and there a traveller.
2 "Deny thyself, and take thy cross,"
Is the Redeemer's great command;
Nature must count her gold but dross
If she would gain this heavenly land.
3 The fearful soul that tires and faints,
And walks the ways of God no more,
Is but esteem'd almost a saint,
And makes his own destruction sure.
4 Lord, let not all my hopes be vain;
Create my heart entirely new,
Which hypocrites could ne'er attain,
Which false apostates never knew.
Hymn 2:159.
An unconverted state;
or, Converting grace.
1 [Great King of Glory and of grace,
We own with humble shame,
How vile is our degenerate race,
And our first father's name.]
2 From Adam flows our tainted blood,
The poison reigns within,
Makes us averse to all that's good,
And willing slaves to sin.
3 [Daily we break thy holy laws,
And then reject thy grace;
Engag'd in the old serpent's cause
Against our Maker's face.]
4 We live estrang'd afar from God,
And love the distance well;
With haste we run the dangerous road
That leads to death and hell.
5 And can such rebels be restor'd?
Such natures made divine?
Let sinners see thy glory, Lord,
And feel this power of thine.
6 We raise our Father's name on high,
Who his own Spirit sends
To bring rebellious strangers nigh,
And turn his foes to friends.
Hymn 2:160.
Custom in sin.
1 Let the wild leopards of the wood
Put off the spots that nature gives,
Then may the wicked turn to God,
And change their tempers and their lives.
2 As well might Ethiopian slaves
Wash out the darkness of their skin;
The dead as well might leave their graves,
As old transgressors cease to sin.
3 Where vice has held its empire long
'Twill not endure the least control;
None but a power divinely strong
Can turn the current of the soul.
4 Great God, I own thy power divine,
That works to change this heart of mine;
I would be form'd anew, and bless
The wonders of creating grace.
Hymn 2:161.
Christian virtues; or, The
difficulty of conversion.
1 Strait is the way, the door is strait
That leads to joys on high;
'Tis but a few that find the gate,
While crowds mistake and die.
2 Beloved self must be deny'd,
The mind and will renew'd:
Passion suppress'd, and patience try'd,
And vain desires subdu'd.
3 [Flesh is a dangerous foe to grace,
Where it prevails and rules;
Flesh must be humbled, pride abas'd,
Lest they destroy our souls.
4 The love of gold be banish'd hence,
(That vile idolatry);
And every member, every sense
In sweet subjection lie.]
5 The tongue, that most unruly power,
Requires a strong restraint;
We must be watchful every hour,
And pray, but never faint.
6 Lord, can a feeble helpless worm
Fulfil a task so hard?
Thy grace must all my work perform,
And give the free reward.
Hymn 2:162
Meditation of heaven;
or, The joy of faith.
1 My thoughts surmount these lower skies
And look within the veil;
There springs of endless pleasure rise,
The waters never fail.
2 There I behold with sweet delight
The blessed Three in One;
And strong affections fix my sight
On God's incarnate Son.
3 His promise stands for ever firm,
His grace shall ne'er depart;
He binds my name upon his arm,
And seals it on his heart.
4 Light are the pains that' nature brings,
How short our sorrows are,
When with eternal future things,
The present we compare!
5 I would not be a stranger still
To that celestial place,
Where I for ever hope to dwell
Near my Redeemer's face.
Hymn 2:163.
Complaint of desertion and temptations.
1 Dear Lord, behold our sore distress;
Our sins attempt to reign;
Stretch out thine arm of conquering grace,
And let thy foes be slain.
2 [The lion with his dreadful roar
Affrights thy feeble sheep;
Reveal the glory of thy power,
And chain him to the deep.
3 Must we indulge a long despair,
Shall our petitions die;
Our mournings never reach thine ear,
Nor tears affect thine eye?]
4 If thou despise a mortal groan,
Yet hear a Saviour's blood;
An Advocate so near the throne
Pleads and prevails with God.
5 He bought the Spirit's powerful sword
To slay our deadly foes;
Our sins shall die beneath thy word,
And hell in vain oppose.
6 How boundless is our Father's grace,
In height and depth, and length!
He makes his Son our righteousness,
His Spirit is our strength.
Hymn 2:164.
The end of the world.
1 Why should this earth delight us so?
Why should we fix our eyes
On these low grounds where sorrows grow,
And every pleasure dies?
2 While time his sharpest teeth prepares
Our comforts to devour,
There is a land above the stars,
And joys above his power.
3 Nature shall be dissolv'd and die,
The sun must end his race,
The earth and sea for ever fly
Before my Saviour's face.
4 When will that glorious morning rise!
When the last trumpet sound,
And call the nations to the skies
From underneath the ground?
Hymn 2:165.
Unfruitfulness, ignorance,
and unsanctified affections.
1 Long have I sat beneath the sound
Of thy salvation, Lord
But still how weak my faith is found,
And knowledge of thy word!
2 Oft I frequent thy holy place
And hear almost in vain;
How small a portion of thy grace
My memory can retain!
3 [My dear Almighty, and my God,
How little art thou known
By all the judgments of thy rod,
And blessings of thy throne!]
4 [How cold and feeble is my love!
How negligent my fear!
How low my hope of joys above!
How few affections there!]
5 Great God, thy sovereign power impart
To give thy word success:
Write the salvation in my heart,
And make me learn the grace.
6 [Shew my forgetful feet the way
That leads to joys on high;
There knowledge grows without decay,
And love shall never die.]
Hymn 2:166.
The divine perfections.
1 How shall I praise th' eternal God,
That infinite unknown?
Who can ascend his high abode,
Or venture near his throne?
2 [The great Invisible! he dwells
Conceal'd in dazzling light;
But his all-searching eye reveals
The secrets of the night.
3 Those watchful eyes that never sleep
Survey the world around;
His wisdom is a boundless deep
Where all our thoughts are drown'd.]
4 [Speak we of strength? His arm is strong
To save or to destroy:
Infinite years his life prolong,
And endless is his joy.]
5 [He knows no shadow of a change,
Nor alters his decrees;
Firm as a rock his truth remains
To guard his promises.]
6 [Sinners before his presence die;
How holy is his Name!
His anger and his jealousy
Burn like devouring flame.]
7 Justice upon a dreadful throne
Maintains the rights of God;
While Mercy sends her pardons down,
Bought with a Saviour's blood.
8 Now to my soul, immortal King,
Speak some forgiving word;
Then 't will be double joy to sing
The glories of my Lord.
Hymn 2:167.
The divine perfections.
1 Great God, thy glories shall employ
My holy fear, my humble joy;
My lips in songs of honour bring
Their tribute to th' eternal King.
[2 Earth and the stars and worlds unknown,
Depend precarious on his throne,
All nature hangs upon his word,
And grace and glory own their Lord.]
3 [His sovereign power what mortal knows?
If he command who dares oppose?
With strength he girds himself around,
And treads the rebels to the ground.]
4 [Who shall pretend to teach him skill?
Or guide the counsels of his will?
His wisdom like a sea divine,
Flows deep and high beyond our line.]
5 [His Name is holy, and his eye
Burns with immortal jealousy;
He hates the sons of pride, and sheds
His fiery vengeance on their heads.]
6 [The beamings of his piercing sight
Bring dark hypocrisy to light;
Death and destruction naked lie,
And hell uncover'd to his eye.]
7 [Th' eternal law before him stands;
His justice with impartial hands
Divides to all their due reward,
Or by the sceptre or the sword.]
8 [His mercy like a boundless sea
Washes our loads of guilt away,
While his own Son came down and dy'd,
T' engage his justice on our side.]
9 [Each of his words demands my faith,
My soul can rest on all he saith;
His truth inviolably keeps
The largest promise of his lips.]
10 O tell me with a gentle voice,
"Thou art my God," and I'll rejoice!
Fill'd with thy love, I dare proclaim
The brightest honours of thy Name.
Hymn 2:168.
The same.
1 Jehovah reigns, his throne is high,
His robes are light and majesty;
His glory shines with beams so bright
No mortal can sustain the sight.
2 His terrors keep the world in awe,
His justice guards his holy law;
His love reveals a smiling face,
His truth and promise seal the grace.
3 Thro' all his works his wisdom shines,
And baffles Satan's deep designs;
His power is sovereign to fulfil
The noblest counsels of his will.
4 And will this glorious Lord descend
To be my father and my friend?
Then let my songs with angels join;
Heaven is secure if God be mine.
Hymn 2:169. As the 148th Psalm.
The same.
1 The Lord Jehovah reigns
His throne is built on high;
The garments he assumes
Are light and majesty;
His glories shine
With beams so bright
No mortal eye
Can bear the sight.
2 The thunders of his hand
Keep the wide world in awe;
His wrath and justice stand
To guard his holy law;
And where his love
Resolves to bless,
His truth confirms
And seals the grace.
3 Thro' all his ancient works
Surprising wisdom shines,
Confounds the powers of hell,
And breaks their curs'd designs:
Strong is his arm,
And shall fulfil
His great decrees,
His sovereign will.
4 And can this mighty King
Of Glory condescend?
And will he write his Name,
"My Father and my Friend?"
I love his Name,
I love his word;
Join all my powers,
And praise the Lord.
Hymn 2:170.
God incomprehensible and sovereign.
1 Can creatures to perfection find [1]
Th' eternal uncreated mind?
Or can the largest stretch of thought
Measure and search his nature out?
2 'Tis high as heaven, 'tis deep as hell,
And what can mortals know or tell?
His glory spreads beyond the sky,
And all the shining worlds on high.
3 But man, vain man, would fain be wise,
Born like a wild young colt he flies
Thro' all the follies of his mind,
And swells and snuffs the empty wind.
4 God is a King of power unknown,
Firm are the orders of his throne;
If he resolve, who dares oppose,
Or ask him why, or what he does?
5 He wounds the heart, and he makes whole;
He calms the tempest of the soul;
When he shuts up in long despair
Who can remove the heavy bar?
6 He frowns, [2] and darkness veils the moon;
The fainting sun grows dim at noon;
The pillars [3] of heaven's starry roof
Tremble and start at his reproof.
7 He gave the vaulted heaven its form,
The crooked serpent and the worm;
He breaks the billows with his breath,
And smites the Sons of pride to death.
8 These are a portion of his ways,
But who shall dare describe his face?
Who can endure his light, or stand
To hear the thunders of his hand?
[1] Job 11:7 &c. [2] Job 25:5.
[3] Job 26:11 &c.
End of the Second Book.
Hymns.
Book 3.
Prepared for the Lord's Supper.
Hymn 3:1.
The Lord's Supper instituted,
1 Corinthians 11:23 &c.
1 'Twas on that dark, that doleful night
When powers of earth and hell arose
Against the Son of God's delight,
And friends betray'd him to his foes;
2 Before the mournful scene began
He took the bread, and bless'd, and brake:
What love thro' all his actions ran!
What wondrous words of grace he spake!
3 "This is my body broke for sin,
"Receive and eat the living food:"
Then took the cup, and bless'd the wine;
"'Tis the new covenant in my blood."
4 [For us his flesh with nails was torn,
He bore the scourge, he felt the thorn;
And justice pour'd upon his head
Its heavy vengeance in our stead.
5 For us his vital blood was spilt,
To buy the pardon of our guilt,
When for black crimes of biggest size
He gave his soul a sacrifice.]
6 "Do this, (he cry'd) till time shall end,
"In memory of your dying Friend;
"Meet at my table, and record
"The love of your departed Lord."
7 [Jesus, thy feast we celebrate,
We shew thy death, we sing thy Name,
Till thou return, and we shall eat
The marriage-supper of the Lamb.]
Hymn 3:2.
Communion with Christ, and with saints,
1 Cor. 10. 16 17.
1 [Jesus invites his saints
To meet around his board;
Here pardon'd rebels sit, and hold
Communion with their Lord.
2 For food he gives his flesh,
He bids us drink his blood,
Amazing favour! matchless grace
Of our descending God!]
3 This holy bread and wine
Maintains our fainting breath,
By union with our living Lord,
And interest in his death.
4 Our heavenly Father calls
Christ and his members one;
We the young children of his love,
And he the first-born Son.
5 We are but several parts
Of the same broken bread;
One body hath its several limbs,
But Jesus is the head.
6 Let all our powers be join'd
His glorious Name to raise;
Pleasure and love fill every mind,
And every voice be praise.
Hymn 3:3.
The new testament in the blood of
Christ; or, The new covenant sealed.
1 "The promise of my Father's love
"Shall stand for ever good;"
He said, and gave his soul to death,
And seal'd the grace with blood.
2 To this dear covenant of thy word
I set my worthless name;
I seal th' engagement to my Lord,
And make my humble claim.
3 Thy light, and strength, and pardoning grace,
And glory shall be mine;
My life and soul, my heart and flesh,
And all my powers are thine.
4 I call that legacy my own
Which Jesus did bequeath;
'Twas purchas'd with a dying groan,
And ratify'd in death.
5 Sweet is the memory of his Name,
Who bless'd us in his will,
And to his testament of love
Made his own life the seal.
Hymn 3:4.
Christ's dying love; or, Our
pardon bought at a dear price.
1 How condescending and how kind
Was God's eternal Son!
Our misery reach'd his heavenly mind,
And pity brought him down.
2 [When Justice by our sins provok'd
Drew forth its dreadful sword,
He gave his soul up to the stroke,
Without a murmuring word.]
3 [He sunk beneath our heavy woes
To raise us to his throne;
There's ne'er a gift his hand bestows
But cost his heart a groan.]
4 This was compassion like a God,
That when the Saviour knew
The price of pardon was his blood,
His pity ne'er withdrew.
5 Now tho' he reigns exalted high,
His love is still as great:
Well he remembers Calvary,
Nor lets his saints forget.
6 [Here we behold his bowels roll,
As kind as when he dy'd;
And see the sorrows of his soul
Bleed thro' his wounded side.]
7 [Here we receive repeated seals
Of Jesus' dying love:
Hard is the wretch that never feels
One soft affection move.]
8 Here let our hearts begin to melt,
While we his death record,
And with our joy for pardon'd guilt
Mourn that we pierc'd the Lord.
Hymn 3:5.
Christ the bread of life, John 6. 31 35 39.
1 Let us adore th' eternal Word,
'Tis he our souls hath fed;
Thou art our living stream, O Lord,
And thou th' immortal bread.
2 [The manna came from lower skies,
But Jesus from above,
Where the fresh springs of pleasure rise
And rivers flow with love.
3 The Jews the fathers dy'd at last,
Who ate that heavenly bread;
But these provisions which we taste
Can raise us from the dead.]
4 Bless'd be the Lord that gives his flesh
To nourish dying men;
And often spreads his table fresh,
Lest we should faint again.
5 Our souls shall draw their heavenly breath
While Jesus finds supplies;
Nor shall our graces sink to death,
For Jesus never dies.
6 [Daily our mortal flesh decays,
But Christ our life shall come;
His unresisted power shall raise
Our bodies from the tomb.]
Hymn 3:6.
The memorial of our absent Lord,
John 16. 16. Luke 22. 19. John 14. 3.
1 Jesus is gone above the skies,
Where our weak senses reach him not
And carnal objects court our eyes
To thrust our Saviour from our thought.
2 He knows what wandering hearts we have,
Apt to forget his lovely face;
And to refresh our minds he gave
These kind memorials of his grace.
3 The Lord of life this table spread
With his own flesh and dying blood;
We on the rich provision feed,
And taste the wine, and bless the God.
4 Let sinful sweets be all forgot,
And earth grow less in our esteem;
Christ and his love fill every thought,
And faith and hope be fix'd on him.
5 While he is absent from our sight
'Tis to prepare our souls a place,
That we may dwell in heavenly light,
And live for ever near his face.
6 Our eyes look upwards to the hills
Whence our returning Lord shall come;
We wait thy chariot's awful wheels
To fetch our longing spirits home.]
Hymn 3:7.
Crucifixion to the world by the
cross of Christ, Gal. 6. 14.
1 When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory dy'd,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God;
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
3 See from his head, his hands, his feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet?
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4 [His dying crimson like a robe
Spreads o'er his body on the tree;
Then am I dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.]
5 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Hymn 3:8.
The tree of life.
1 Come let us join a joyful tune
To our exalted Lord,
Ye saints on high around his throne,
And we around his board.
2 While once upon this lower ground
Weary and faint ye stood,
What dear refreshments here ye found
From this immortal food!
3 The tree of life that near the throne
In heaven's high garden grows,
Laden with grace, bends gently down
Its ever-smiling boughs.
4 [Hovering amongst the leaves there stands
The sweet celestial Dove,
And Jesus on the branches hangs
The banner of his love.]
5 ['Tis a young heaven of strange delight
While in his shade we sit;
His fruit is pleasing to the sight,
And to the taste as sweet.
6 New life it spreads thro' dying hearts,
And cheers the drooping mind;
Vigour and joy the juice imparts
Without a sting behind.]
7 Now let the flaming weapon stand
And guard all Eden's trees;
There's ne'er a plant in all that land
That bears such fruits as these.
8 Infinite grace our souls adore,
Whose wondrous hand has made
This living branch of sovereign power
To raise and heal the dead.
Hymn 3:9.
The Spirit, the water, and the blood, John 5. 6.
1 [Let all our tongues be one
To praise our God on high,
Who from his bosom sent his Son
To fetch us strangers nigh.
2 Nor let our voices cease
To sing the Saviour's Name;
Jesus th' ambassador of peace,
How cheerfully he came!
3 It cost him cries and tears
To bring us near to God;
Great was our debt, and he appears
To make the payment good.]
4 [My Saviour's pierced side,
Pour'd out a double flood;
By water we are purify'd
And pardon'd by the blood.
5 Infinite was our guilt,
But he our Priest atones;
On the cold ground his life was spilt,
And offer'd with his groans.]
6 Look up, my soul, to him
Whose death was thy desert,
And humbly view the living stream
Flow from his breaking heart.
7 There on the cursed tree
In dying pangs he lies,
Fulfils his Father's great decree,
And all our wants supplies.
8 Thus the Redeemer came
By water and by blood;
And when the Spirit speaks the same
We feel his witness good.
9 While the eternal Three
Bear their record above,
Here I believe he dy'd for me,
And seal my Saviour's love.
10 [Lord, cleanse my soul from sin,
Nor let thy grace depart;
Great Comforter, abide within,
And witness to my heart.]
Hymn 3:10.
Christ crucified; the wisdom and power of God.
1 Nature with open volume stands
To spread her Maker's praise abroad;
And every labour of his hands
Shews something worthy of a God.
2 But in the grace that rescu'd man
His brightest form of glory shines;
Here on the cross 'tis fairest drawn
In precious blood and crimson lines.
3 [Here his whole name appears complete;
Nor wit can guess, nor reason prove
Which of the letters best is writ,
The power, the wisdom, or the love.]
4 Here I behold his inmost heart
Where grace and vengeance strangely join,
Piercing his Son with sharpest smart
To make the purchas'd pleasure mine.
5 O the sweet wonders of that cross
Where God the Saviour lov'd and dy'd!
Her noblest life my spirit draws
From his dear wounds and bleeding side.
6 I would for ever speak his Name
In sounds to mortal ears unknown,
With angels join to praise the Lamb,
And worship at his Father's throne.
Hymn 3:11.
Pardon brought in our senses.
1 Lord, how divine thy comforts are!
How heavenly is the place
Where Jesus spreads the sacred feast
Of his redeeming grace!
2 There the rich bounties of our God,
And sweetest glories shine;
There Jesus says, that "I am his,
"And my Beloved's mine."
3 "Here," (says the kind redeeming Lord,
And shews his wounded side)
"See here the spring of all your joys,
"That open'd when I dy'd."
4 [He smiles and cheers my mournful heart
And tells of all his pain,
"All this," says he, "I bore for thee;"
And then he smiles again.]
5 What shall we pay our heavenly King
For grace so vast as this?
He brings our pardon to our eyes,
And seals it with a kiss.
6 [Let such amazing loves as these
Be sounded all abroad,
Such favours are beyond degrees,
And worthy of a God.]
7 [To him that wash'd us in his blood
Be everlasting praise,
Salvation, honour, glory, power,
Eternal as his days.]
Hymn 3:12.
The gospel feast, Luke 14. 16 &c.
1 [How rich are thy provisions Lord!
Thy table furnish'd from above,
The fruits of life o'erspread the board,
The cup o'erflows with heavenly love.
2 Thine ancient family the Jews,
Were first invited to the feast;
We humbly take what they refuse,
And Gentiles thy salvation taste.
3 We are the poor, the blind, the lame,
And help was far, and death was nigh,
But at the gospel call we came
And every want receiv'd supply.
4 From the highway that leads to hell,
From paths of darkness and despair,
Lord, we are come with thee to dwell,
Glad to enjoy thy presence here.]
5 [What shall we pay th' eternal Son,
That left the heaven of his abode,
And to this wretched earth came down
To bring us wanderers back to God?
6 It cost him death to save our lives,
To buy our souls it cost his own;
And all the unknown joys he gives,
Were bought with agonies unknown.
7 Our everlasting love is due
To him that ransom'd sinners lost;
And pity'd rebels when he knew
The vast expense his love would cost.]
Hymn 3:13.
Divine love making a feast, and calling
in the guests, Luke 14. 17 22 23.
1 How sweet and awful is the place
With Christ within the doors,
While everlasting love displays
The choicest of her stores!
2 Here every bowel of our God
With soft compassion rolls
Here peace and pardon bought with blood
Is food for dying souls.
3 [While all our hearts and all our songs
Join to admire the feast,
Each of us cry with thankful tongues,
"Lord, why was I a guest?
4 "Why was I made to hear thy voice,
"And enter while there's room?
"When thousands make a wretched choice,
"And rather starve than come."]
5 'Twas the same love that spread the feast,
That sweetly forc'd us in,
Else we had still refus'd to taste,
And perish'd in our sin.
6 [Pity the nations, O our God,
Constrain the earth to come;
Send thy victorious word abroad,
And bring the strangers home.
7 We long to see thy churches full,
That all the chosen race
May with one voice and heart and soul,
Sing thy redeeming grace.]
Hymn 3:14.
The song of Simeon, Luke 2. 28;
or, A sight of Christ makes death easy.
1 Now have our hearts embrac'd our God,
We would forget all earthly charms,
And wish to die as Simeon would,
With his young Saviour in his arms.
2 Our lips should learn that joyful song,
Were but our hearts prepar'd like his;
Our souls still willing to be gone,
And at thy word depart in peace.
3 Here we have seen thy face, O Lord,
And view'd salvation with our eyes,
Tasted and felt the living word,
The bread descending from the skies.
4 Thou hast prepar'd this dying Lamb,
Hast set his blood before our face,
To teach the terrors of thy Name,
And show the wonders of thy grace.
5 He is our light; our morning star
Shall shine on nations yet unknown;
The glory of thine Israel here,
And joy of spirits near the throne.
Hymn 3:15.
Our Lord Jesus at his own table.
1 [The memory of our dying Lord
Awakes a thankful tongue:
How rich he spread his royal board,
And blest the food, and sung.
2 Happy the men that eat this bread,
But double bless'd was he
That gently bow'd his loving head,
And lean'd it, Lord, on thee.
3 By faith the same delights we taste
As that great favourite did,
And sit and lean on Jesus' breast,
And take the heavenly bread.]
4 Down from the palace of the skies,
Hither the King descends;
"Come my beloved, eat, (he cries)
"And drink salvation, friends.
5 "[My flesh is food and physic too,
"A balm for all your pains;
"And the red streams of pardon flow
"From these my pierced veins."]
6 Hosanna to his bounteous love
For such a taste below!
And yet he feeds his saints above
With nobler blessings too.
7 [Come the dear day, the glorious hour
That brings our souls to rest!
Then we shall need these types no more,
But dwell at th' heavenly feast.]
Hymn 3:16.
The agonies of Christ.
1 Now let our pains be all forgot,
Our hearts no more repine,
Our sufferings are not worth a thought,
When, Lord, compar'd with thine.
2 In lively figures here we see
The bleeding Prince of love;
Each of us hope he dy'd for me,
And then our griefs remove.
3 [Our humble faith here takes her rise,
While sitting round his board;
And back to Calvary she flies,
To view her groaning Lord.
4 His soul, what agonies it felt
When his own God withdrew!
And the large load of all our guilt
Lay heavy on him too.
5 But the divinity within
Supported him to bear:
Dying he conquer'd hell and sin,
And made his triumph there.]
6 Grace, wisdom, justice join'd and wrought
The wonders of that day:
No mortal tongue, nor mortal thought
Can equal thanks repay.
7 Our hymns should sound like those above,
Could we our voices raise;
Yet, Lord, our hearts shall all be love,
And all our lives be praise.
Hymn 3:17.
Incomparable food; or,
The flesh and blood of Christ.
1[We sing th' amazing deeds
That grace divine performs;
Th' eternal God comes down and bleeds
To nourish dying worms.
2 This soul reviving wine,
Dear Saviour, 'tis thy blood;
We thank that sacred flesh of thine
For this immortal food.]
3 The banquet that we eat
Is made of heavenly things,
Earth hath no dainties half so sweet
As our Redeemer brings.
4 In vain had Adam sought
And search'd his garden round,
For there was no such blessed fruit
In all the happy ground.
5 Th' angelic host above
Can never taste this food,
They feast upon their Maker's love,
But not a Saviour's blood.
6 On us th' Almighty Lord
Bestows this matchless grace,
And meets us with some cheering word,
With pleasure in his face.
7 Come, all ye drooping saints,
And banquet with the King,
This wine will drown your sad complaints,
And tune your voice to sing.
8 Salvation to the Name
Of our adored Christ:
Thro' the wide earth his grace proclaim
His glory in the high'st.
Hymn 3:18.
The same.
1 Jesus, we bow before thy feet,
Thy table is divinely stor'd:
Thy sacred flesh our souls have eat,
'Tis living bread; we thank thee, Lord!
2 And here we drink our Saviour's blood,
We thank thee, Lord, 'tis generous wine;
Mingled with love the fountain flow'd
From that dear bleeding heart of thine.
3 On earth is no such sweetness found,
For the Lamb's flesh is heavenly food;
In vain we search the globe around
For bread so fine, or wine so good.
4 Carnal provisions can at best
But cheer the heart, or warm the head,
But the rich cordial that we taste
Gives life eternal to the dead.
5 Joy to the Master of the feast,
His name our souls for ever bless:
To God the King, and God the Priest,
A loud Hosanna round the place.
Hymn 3:19.
Glory in the cross; or, Not ashamed
of Christ crucified.
1 At thy command, our dearest Lord,
Here we attend thy dying feast;
Thy blood like wine adorns thy board,
And thine own flesh feeds every guest.
2 Our faith adores thy bleeding love,
And trusts for life in one that dy'd;
We hope for heavenly crowns above
From a Redeemer crucify'd.
3 Let the vain world pronounce it shame,
And fling their scandals on thy cause;
We come to boast our Saviour's Name,
And make our triumphs in his cross.
4 With joy we tell the scoffing age
He that was dead has left his tomb,
He lives above their utmost rage,
And we are waiting till he come.
Hymn 3:20.
The provisions for the table of our Lord; or, The
tree of life, and river of love.
1 Lord, we adore thy bounteous hand,
And sing the solemn feast
Where sweet celestial dainties stand
For every willing guest.
2 [The tree of life adorns the board
With rich immortal fruit,
And ne'er an angry flaming sword
To guard the passage to't.
3 The cup stands crown'd with living juice;
The fountain flows above,
And runs down streaming for our use
In rivulets of love.]
4 The food's prepar'd by heavenly art,
The pleasure's well refin'd,
They spread new life thro' every heart,
And cheer the drooping mind.
5 Shout and proclaim the Saviour's love,
Ye saints that taste his wine,
Join with your kindred saints above,
In loud hosannas join.
6 A thousand glories to the God
That gives such joy as this;
Hosanna! let it sound abroad,
And reach where Jesus is.
Hymn 3:21.
The triumphal feast for Christ's victory
over sin, and death, and hell.
1 [Come let us lift our voices high,
High as our joys arise,
And join the songs above the sky,
Where pleasure never dies.
2 Jesus, the God that fought and bled,
And conquer'd when he fell;
That rose, and at his chariot-wheels
Dragg'd all the powers of hell.]
3 [Jesus the God invites us here
To this triumphal feast,
And brings immortal blessings down
For each redeemed guest.]
4 The Lord! how glorious is his face!
How kind his smiles appear!
And O what melting words he says
To every humble ear!
5 "For you, the children of my love,
"It was for you I dy'd;
"Behold my hands, behold my feet,
"And look into my side.
6 "These are the wounds for you I bore,
"The tokens of my pains,
"When I came down to free your souls
"From misery and chains.
7 "Justice unsheath'd its fiery sword,
And plung'd it in my heart;
"Infinite pangs for you I bore,
"And most tormenting smart.
8 "When hell and all its spiteful powers
"Stood dreadful in my way,
"To rescue those dear lives of yours
"I gave my own away.
9 "But while I bled, and groan'd, and dy'd,
"I ruin'd Satan's throne;
"High on my cross I hung, and spy'd
"The monster tumbling down.
10 "Now you must triumph at my feast,
"And taste my flesh, my blood;
"And live eternal ages bless'd,
"For 'tis immortal food."
11 Victorious God! what can we pay
For favours so divine?
We would devote our hearts away
To be for ever thine.
12 We give thee, Lord, our highest praise,
The tribute of our tongues;
But themes so infinite as these
Exceed our noblest songs.
Hymn 3:22.
The compassion of a dying Christ.
1 Our spirits join t' adore the Lamb;
O that our feeble lips could move
In strains immortal as his Name,
And melting as his dying love.
2 Was ever equal pity found?
The Prince of heaven resigns his breath,
And pours his life out on the ground
To ransom guilty worms from death.
3 [Rebels, we broke our Maker's laws;
He from the threatening set us free,
Bore the full vengeance on his cross,
And nail'd the curses to the tree.]
4 [The law proclaims no terror now,
And Sinai's thunder roars no more;
From all his wounds new blessings flow,
A sea of joy without a shore.
5 Here we have wash'd our deepest stains,
And heal'd our wounds with heavenly blood:
Bless'd fountain! springing from the veins
Of Jesus, our incarnate God.]
6 In vain our mortal voices strive
To speak compassion so divine;
Had we a thousand lives to give,
A thousand lives should all be thine.
Hymn 3:23.
Grace and glory by the death of Christ.
1 [Sitting around our Father's board
We raise our tuneful breath;
Our faith beholds her dying Lord,
And dooms our sins to death.]
2 We see the blood of Jesus shed,
Whence all our pardons rise;
The sinner views th' atonement made,
And loves the sacrifice.
3 Thy cruel thorns, thy shameful cross
Procure us heavenly crowns;
Our highest gain springs from thy loss,
Our healing from thy wounds.
4 O 'tis impossible that we,
Who dwell in feeble clay,
Should equal sufferings bear for thee,
Or equal thanks repay.
Hymn 3:24.
Pardon and strength from Christ.
1 Father, we wait to feel thy grace,
To see thy glories shine;
The Lord will his own table bless,
And make the feast divine.
2 We touch, we taste the heavenly bread,
We drink the sacred Cup;
With outward forms our sense is fed,
Our souls rejoice in hope.
3 We shall appear before the throne
Of our forgiving God,
Dress'd in the garments of his Son,
And sprinkled with his blood.
4 We shall be strong to run the race,
And climb the upper sky;
Christ will provide our souls with grace,
He bought a large supply.
5 [Let us indulge a cheerful frame,
For joy becomes a feast;
We love the memory of his Name,
More than the wine we taste.]
Hymn 3:25.
Divine glories, and our graces.
1 How are thy glories here display'd,
Great God, how bright they shine,
While at thy word we break the bread,
And pour the flowing wine!
2 Here thy revenging justice stands
And pleads its dreadful cause;
Here saving mercy spreads her hands
Like Jesus on the cross.
3 Thy saints attend with every grace
On this great sacrifice;
And love appears with cheerful face,
And faith with fixed eyes.
4 Our hope in waiting posture sits,
To heaven directs her sight;
Here every warmer passion meets,
And warmer powers unite.
5 Zeal and revenge perform their part,
And rising sin destroy;
Repentance comes with aching heart,
Yet not forbids the joy.
6 Dear Saviour, change our faith to sight,
Let sin for ever die;
Then shall our souls be all delight,
And every tear be dry.
******
I cannot persuade myself to put a full period to these Divine
Hymns, till I have addressed a special song of glory to God the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Though the Latin name of it,
Gloria Patri, be retained in our nation from the Romish church;
and thought there may be some excesses of superstitious honour paid
to the words of it, which may have wrought some unhappy prejudices
in weaker Christians, yet I believe it still to be one of the
noblest parts of Christian worship. The subject of it is the
doctrine of the Trinity, which is that peculiar glory of the Divine
Nature, that our Lord Jesus Christ has so clearly revealed unto
men, and is so necessary to true Christianity. The action is praise,
which is one of the most complete and exalted parts of heavenly
worship. I have cast the song into a variety of forms, and have
fitted it to a plain version, or a larger paraphrase, to be sung
either alone, or at the conclusion of another Hymn. I have added
also a few hosannas, or ascriptions of salvation to Christ, in the
same manner, and for the same end.
Doxologies.
Hymn 3:26. 1st. L.M.
A song of praise to the ever-blessed Trinity,
God in Father, Son, and Spirit.
1 Bless'd be the Father and his love:
To whose celestial source we owe
Rivers of endless joy above,
And rills of comfort here below.
2 Glory to thee, great Son of God,
From whose dear wounded body rolls
A precious stream of vital blood,
Pardon and life for dying souls.
3 We give the sacred Spirit praise,
Who in our hearts of sin and woe
Makes living springs of grace arise,
And into boundless glory flow.
4 Thus God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, we adore;
That sea of life and love unknown,
Without a bottom or a shore.
Hymn 3:27. 1st. C. M.
1 Glory to God the Father's Name,
Who, from our sinful race,
Chose out his favourites to proclaim
The honours of his grace.
2 Glory to God the Son be paid,
Who dwelt in humble clay,
And, to redeem us from the dead,
Gave his own life away.
3 Glory to God the Spirit give,
From whose almighty power
Our souls their heavenly birth derive,
And bless the happy hour.
4 Glory to God that reigns above,
Th' eternal Three and One,
Who by the wonders of his love
Has made his nature known.
Hymn 3:28. 1st. S. M.
1 Let God the Father live
For ever on our tongues;
Sinners from his first love derive
The ground of all their songs.
2 Ye saints, employ your breath
In honour to the Son,
Who bought your souls from hell and death
By offering up his own.
3 Give to the Spirit praise
Of an immortal strain,
Whose light and power and grace conveys
Salvation down to men.
4 While God the Comforter
Reveals our pardon'd sin,
O may the blood and water bear
The same record within.
5 To the great One and Three
That seal this grace in heaven,
The Father, Son, and Spirit, be
Eternal glory given.
Hymn 3:29. 2d. L.M.
1 Glory to God the Trinity
Whose name has mysteries unknown;
In essence One, in person Three;
A social nature, yet alone.
2 When all our noblest powers are join'd
The honours of thy Name to raise,
Thy glories over-match our mind,
And angels faint beneath the praise.
Hymn 3:30. 2d. C. M
1 The God of mercy be ador'd,
Who calls our souls from death,
Who saves by his redeeming word,
And new-creating breath.
2 To praise the Father and the Son
And Spirit all divine,
The One in Three, and Three in One,
Let saints and angels join.
Hymn 3:31. 2d. S. M.
1 Let God the Maker's name
Have honour, love and fear,
To God the Saviour pay the same,
And God the Comforter.
2 Father of lights above,
Thy mercy we adore,
The Son of thy eternal love
And Spirit of thy power.
Hymn 3:32. 3d. L. M.
To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Be honour, praise, and glory given,
By all on earth, and all in heaven.
Hymn 3:33.
Or thus:
All glory to thy wondrous Name,
Father of mercy, God of love,
Thus we exalt the Lord, the Lamb,
And thus we praise the heavenly Dove.
Hymn 3:34. 3d. C. M.
Now let the Father and the Son
And Spirit be ador'd,
Where there are works to make him known,
Or saints to love the Lord.
Hymn 3:35.
Or thus:
Honour to thee, almighty Three,
And everlasting One;
All glory to the Father be,
The Spirit, and the Son.
Hymn 3:36. 3d. S. M.
Ye angels round the throne
And saints that dwell below,
Worship the Father, love the Son,
And bless the Spirit too.
Hymn 3:37.
Or thus:
Give to the Father praise,
Give glory to the Son,
And to the Spirit of his grace
Be equal honour done.
Hymn 3:38.
A song of praise to the blessed Trinity.
The 1st, as the 148th Psalm.
1 I give immortal praise
To God the Father's love
For all my comforts here,
And better hopes above;
He sent his own
Eternal Son,
To die for sins
That man had done.
2 To God the Son belongs
Immortal glory too,
Who bought us with his blood
From everlasting woe;
And now he lives,
And now he reigns,
And sees the fruit
Of all his pains.
3 To God the Spirit's Name
Immortal worship give,
Whose new-creating power
Makes the dead sinner live:
His work completes
The great design
And fills the soul
With joy divine.
4 Almighty God, to thee
Be endless honours done,
The undivided Three,
And the mysterious one:
Where reason fails
With all her powers,
There faith prevails,
And love adores.
Hymn 3:39.
The 2d, as the 148th Psalm.
1 To Him that chose us first
Before the world began,
To Him that bore the curse
To save rebellious man,
To Him that form'd
Our hearts anew,
Is endless praise
And glory due.
2 The Father's love shall run
Thro' our immortal songs,
We bring to God the Son
Hosannas on our tongues:
Our lips address
The Spirit's Name
With equal praise,
And zeal the same.
3 Let every saint above
And angel round the throne,
For ever bless and love
The sacred Three in One:
Thus heaven shall raise
His honours high
When earth and time
Grow old and die.
Hymn 3:40.
The 3d, as the 148th Psalm.
To God the Father's throne
Perpetual honours raise;
Glory to God the Son,
To God the Spirit praise:
And while our lips
Their tribute bring,
Our faith adores
The name we sing.
Hymn 3:41.
Or thus:
To our eternal God,
The Father and the Son,
And Spirit all divine,
Three mysteries in one,
Salvation, power,
And praise be given
By all on earth
And all in heaven.
Hymn 3:42. L. M.
The Hosanna;
or, Salvation ascribed to Christ.
1 Hosanna to King David's Son,
Who reigns on a superior throne;
We bless the Prince of heavenly birth
Who brings salvation down to earth.
2 Let every nation, every age,
In this delightful work engage;
Old men and babes in Sion sing
The growing glories of her King.
Hymn 3:43. C. M.
1 Hosanna to the Prince of Grace,
Sion, behold her King;
Proclaim the Son of David's race,
And teach the babes to sing.
2 Hosanna to th' incarnate Word,
Who from the Father came;
Ascribe salvation to the Lord,
With blessings on his Name.
Hymn 3:44. S. M.
Hosanna to the Son
Of David and of God,
Who brought the news of pardon down,
And bought it with his blood,
2 To Christ th' anointed King
Be endless blessings given,
Let the whole earth his glory sing
Who made our peace with heaven.
Hymn 3:45. As the 148th Psalm.
1 Hosanna to the King
Of David's ancient blood;
Behold he comes to bring
Forgiving grace from God:
Let old and young
Attend his way,
And at his feet
Their honours lay.
2 Glory to God on high,
Salvation to the Lamb;
Let earth, and sea, and sky
His wondrous love proclaim:
Upon his head
Shall honours rest,
And every age
Pronounce him blest.
End of the Third Book.
AN INDEX
To find any Hymn by the Title or Contents of it.
_Note_, The letters, i ii iii, signify the first, second, end
third book: The figures direct to the Hymn. (Transcriber's Note:
In this electronic version modern numerals are used; for example,
"2:108" refers to "Book 2, Hymn Number 108," and so on.) If you
find not what hymn you seek under one word of the title, seek it
under another, or by some word that is of the same signification,
though perhaps not mentioned in the title of the hymn.
Aaron
and Christ, 1:145;
Moses and Joshua, 2:124.
Abraham's
blessing on the Gentiles, 1:60, 1:113, 1:114; 2:134;
offering his son, 1:129.
Absence
and presence of God, 2:93, 2:94, 2:100;
from God for ever intolerable, 2:107.
Access to the throne by a Mediator, 2:108.
Adam,
his fall, 1:107;
corrupt nature from him, 2:128;
the first and second, 1:571, 1:124.
Adoption, 1:64, 1:143;
and election, 1:54.
Advocate, see Christ's intercession.
Affections
inconstant, 2:20;
unsanctified, 2:165.
Afflicted, Christ's compassion to them, 1:125.
Afflictions
removed, 1:87;
submitted to, 1:5, 1:129; 2:109;
support and comfort under them, 2:50, 2:65;
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