1 Thee will I love, O Lord, my strength,
My rock, my tow'r, my high defence;
Thy mighty arm shall be my trust,
For I have found salvation thence.
2 Death, and the terrors of the grave,
Stood round me with their dismal shade;
While floods of high temptations rose,
And made my sinking soul afraid.
3 I saw the op'ning gates of hell,
With endless pains and sorrows there,
(Which none but they that feel can tell)
While I was hurry'd to despair.
4 In my distress I call'd my God,
When I could scarce believe him mine:
He bow'd his ear to my complaint;
And prov'd his saving grace divine.
5 [With speed he flew to my relief,
As on a cherub’s wing he rode;
Awful, and bright as lightning, shone
The face of my deliv'rer, God.
6 Temptations fled at his rebuke,
The blast of his Almighty breath;
He sent salvation from on high,
And drew me from the deeps of death.]
7 Great were my fears, my foes were great,
Much was their strength, and more their rage;
But Christ, my Lord, is conqu'ror still,
In all the wars the proud can wage.
8 My song for ever shall record
That terrible, that joyful hour;
And give the glory to the Lord
Due to His mercy and his pow'r.
Source: Church Hymn Book: consisting of newly composed hymns with the addition of hymns and psalms, from other authors, carefully adapted for the use of public worship, and many other occasions (1st ed.) #P.XVIII.I
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 >
My Starred Hymns
My FlexScores
My Hymnals
My Purchased Files
