13 God of my childhood, and my youth,
The guide of all my days,
I have declar'd thy heav'nly truth,
And told thy wond'rous ways.
14 Wilt thou forsake my hoary hairs,
And leave my fainting heart?
Who shall sustain my sinking years,
If God my strength depart?
15 Let me thy pow'r and truth proclaim
To the rising age,
And leave a savour of thy name
When I shall quit the stage.
16 The land of silence and of death
Attends my next remove;
Oh may these poor remains of breath
Teach the wide world thy love!
17 Thy righteousness is deep and high,
Unsearchable thy deeds;
Thy glory spreads beyond the sky,
And all my praise exceeds.
18 Oft have I heard thy threat'nings roar,
And oft endur'd the grief;
But when thy hand has prest me sore,
Thy grace was my relief.
19 By long experience I have known
Thy sov'reign pow'r to save;
At Thy command I venture down
Securely to the grave.
20 When I lie buried deep in dust,
My flesh shall be thy care;
These wither'd limbs with thee I trust
To raise them strong and fair.
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.LXXI.III
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