Our Frail Bodies, and God Our Preserver

Representative Text

1 Let others boast how strong they be,
Nor death nor danger fear;
While we'll confess, O Lord, to Thee,
What feeble things we are.

2 Fresh as the grass our bodies stand,
And flourish bright and gay;
A blasting wind sweeps o'er the land,
And fades the grass away.

3 Our life contains a thousand springs,
And dies if one be wrong;
Strange, that a harp of thousand strings
Should keep in tune so long.

4 But 'tis our God supports our frame,
The God that formed us first,
Salvation to the almighty Name
That reared us from the dust!

5 While we have breath, or life, or tongues,
Our Maker we'll adore.
His Spirit moves our heaving lungs,
Or they would breathe no more.

Source: Church Book: for the use of Evangelical Lutheran congregations #540

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: Let others boast how strong they be
Title: Our Frail Bodies, and God Our Preserver
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

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Primitive Baptist Hymn and Tune Book #43

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