1 Lord, 'tis an infinite delight
To see thy lovely face,
To dwell whole ages in thy sight,
And feel thy vital rays.
2 This Gabriel knows; and sings thy name
With raptures on his tongue;
Moses the saint enjoys the same,
And heaven repeats the song.
3 While the bright nation sounds thy praise
From each eternal hill,
Sweet odours of exhaling grace
The happy region fill.
4 Thy love, a sea without a shore,
Spreads life and joy abroad;
O 'tis a heaven worth dying for,
To see a smiling God.
5 Sweet was the journey to the sky
And wondrous prophet try'd;
"Climb up the mount," says God, "and die,"
The prophet climb'd and died.
6 Softly his fainting head he lay
Upon his maker's breast;
His maker kiss'd his soul away,
And laid his flesh to rest.
7 Shew me thy face, and I'll away
From all inferior things;
Speak, Lord, and here I quit my clay,
And stretch my airy wings.
Source: A Selection of Hymns: from the best authors, intended to be an appendix to Dr. Watt's psalms and hymns. (1st Am. ed.) #DLV
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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