Buried in shadows of the night

Representative Text

1 Buried in shadows of the night,
We lie till Christ restores the light;
Wisdom descends to heal the blind,
And chase the darkness of the mind.

2 Our very frame is mix'd with sin;
His Spirit makes our natures clean;
Such virtues from His suff'rings flow,
At once to cleanse and pardon too.

3 Jesus beholds where Satan reigns,
Binding his slaves in heavy chains;
He sets the prisoners free, and breaks
The iron bondage from our necks.

4 Poor, helpless worms in Thee possess
Grace, wisdom, power and righteousness;
Thou art our mighty all, and we
Give our whole selves, O Lord, to Thee.

Source: Book of Worship (Rev. ed.) #90

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 >

Text Information

First Line: Buried in shadows of the night
Author: Isaac Watts
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Notes

Buried in shadows of the night. I. Watts. [Christ our Wisdom.] First published in his Hymns & Sacred Songs, 1709, Book i., No. 97, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines, and headed, "Christ our Wisdom, Righteousness," &c, 1 Cor. i. 30. In J. Wesley's Psalms & Hymns, Charlestown, South Carolina, 1736-7, No. 86, it was given with the omission of stanza iii. This form was repeated with alterations in Topladys Psalms & Hymns, 1776, No. 306, and others. It is found in several modern collections both in Great Britain and America.

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Tune

ROCKBRIDGE


SHOEL (13351)


ST. CRISPIN

Composed by George J. Elvey (PHH 48) in 1862 for 'Just as I Am, without One Plea" (263), ST. CRISPIN was first published in the 1863 edition of Edward Thorne's Selection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes. The tune title honors a third-century Roman martyr, Crispin, who, along with Crispinian, preached in Gaul…

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The Cyber Hymnal #9675
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The Cyber Hymnal #9675

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