Behold, the judge descends, his guards are nigh

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Behold, the judge descends, his guards are nigh

Author: Isaac Watts (1719)
Published in 11 hymnals

Representative Text

Behold the Judge descends, his guards are high,
Tempest & fire attend him down the sky;
Heav'n, earth & hell draw near, let all kings come,
To hear his justice and the sinner's doom.
But gather first,
But gather first my saints, the Judge commands,
Bring them ye angels from their distant lands.

Source: The Delights of Harmony; or, Norfolk Compiler: being a new collection of psalm tunes, hymns and anthems with a variety of set pieces, from the most approved American and European authors... #77

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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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