Great God, thy holy law commands

Great God, thy holy law commands

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 9 hymnals

Representative Text

5 Great God thy holy law commands
Strict honesty in our demands;
Forbids to plunder, steal or cheat,
To practice falshood or deceit.

6 Have we no righteous debt deny'd
From views dishonest or through pride?
Nor vext the poor with long delay,
And made them groan for want of pay?

7 O! if our honesty be gone
And leave our faith and hope alone;
If honesty be banish'd hence,
Religion is a vain pretence.

Source: The Psalms of David: with hymns and spiritual songs: also, the catechism, confession of faith, and liturgy of the Reformed Church in the Netherlands #H42.II

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: Great God, thy holy law commands
Author: Isaac Watts
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 9 of 9)
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A Choice Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of Christians #453

Hymns and Psalms, Original and Modern, Selected and Revised #d141

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Hymns for Christian Melody #465

Supplement to Watts #d150

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The Psalms and Hymns #42a

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The Psalms of David #H42.II

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