Lord, what a feeble piece

Lord, what a feeble piece

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 146 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI

Full Text

1.
Lord, what a feeble piece
Is this our mortal frame!
Our life, how poor a trifle 'tis,
That scarce deserves the name!

2.
Alas! 'twas brittle clay
That built our body first!
And every month and every day
'Tis mouldering back to dust.

3.
Our moments fly apace,
Our feeble powers decay;
Swift as a flood our hasty days
Are sweeping us away.

4.
Yet if our days must fly,
We'll keep their end in sight,
We'll spend them all in wisdom's ways,
And let them speed their flight.

5.
They'll waft us sooner o'er
This life's tempestuous sea:
Soon shall we reach the peaceful shore,
Of blest eternity.



Source: Southern Harmony, The #154

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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 >

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Text Information

First Line: Lord, what a feeble piece
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 6.6.8.6
Language: English
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Notes

Lord, what a feeble piece. I. Watts. [Psalms xc.] His S.M. version of Psalms xc., which appeared in his Psalms of David, 1719, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines, and headed "The Frailty and Shortness of Life." In Martineau's Hymns, &c, 1840 and 1873, it is given as "Lord, what a fleeting breath"; and in the Leeds Hymn Book, 1853, as "Lord, make us know how frail."

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

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Timeline

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Instances

Instances (146)TextImageAudioScore
A Baptist Hymn Book, Designed Especially for the Regular Baptist Church and All Lovers of Truth #d487
A Choice Selection of Hymns. 2nd ed. #d137
A Choice Selection of Hymns. 6th ed. #d161
A Choice Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of the Baptist Church and all lovers of song #321Image
A Choice Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of Christians #590Image
A Collection of Hymns and Psalms for the Use of Singing School and Musical Societies #d90
A Collection of Hymns and Sacred Songs. 19th ed. #d268
A Collection of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion #d150
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship #446Image
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship (10th ed.) #446Image
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship. 16th ed. #446Image
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship. (3rd ed.) #446Image
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship. (45th ed.) #446Image
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship (6th ed.) #446Image
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Publick Worship #CXXXVImage
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Publick Worship #CXXXVImage
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for the Use of Universalist Societies and Families 16ed. #462Image
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns Suited to the Various Occasions of Public Worship #d203
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns: suited to the various occasions of public worship and private devotion #204Image
A Collection of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs #d200
A Collection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs; suited to the various kinds of Christian worship; and especially designed for and adapted to the Fraternity of the Brethren... #636Image
A Collection of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs: suited to the various occasions of public worship and private devotion, of the church of Christ (6th ed.) #204Image
A Collection of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs Suited to the Various Occasions of Public Worship. 2nd ed. #d211
A Collection of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs: suited to the various occasions of public worship and private devotion of the church of Christ: with an appendix of German hymns #204Image
A Compilation of Genuine Church Music. 4th ed. #d174
A New and Choice Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the Use of the Regular Baptist Church. 10th ed. #d312
A New and Choice Selection of Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs #d94
A New Selection of Psalms and Hymns from the Most Approved Authors, Adapted to Public and Private Worship. 2nd ed. #d305
A New Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs: from the best authors; designed for the use of conference meetings, private circles, and congregations (21st ed. with an appendix) #499Image
A Selection of Hymns & Psalms: from the most approved authors: principally from Watts & Rippon: together with originals #401Image
A Selection of Psalms and Hymns: done under the appointment of the Philadelphian Association (4th ed.) #229Image
A Selection of Psalms and Hymns: done under the appointment of the Philadelphian Association #CCXXIXImage
A Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, from the Most Approved Authors ... of the Church of Christ #d195
Baptist Harmony #d150
Book of Hymns and Tunes, comprising the psalms and hymns for the worship of God, approved by the general assembly of 1866, arranged with appropriate tunes... by authority of the assembly of 1873 #233dImage
Boston Sunday School Hymn Book. 5th ed. #d80
Christian Hymns for Public and Private Worship: a collection compiled by a committee of the Cheshire Pastoral Association (11th ed.) #556Image
Christian Psalmody, in Four Parts; containing Dr. Watt's Psalms Abridged; Dr. Watt's Hymns Abridged; Select Hymns from Other Authors; and Select Harmony: together with directions... (2nd. ed.) #WP90eImage
Christian Psalms and Hymns to Aid in Public and Private Devotion #d560
Christian's Duty, exhibited in a series of hymns: collected from various authors, designed for the worship of God, and for the edification of Christians, recommended to the serious..(4th ed. improved) #172Image
Church Melodies, a Collection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs #d638
Church Melodies: collection of psalms and hymns, with appropriate music. For the use of congregations. #514Image
Church Pastorals, hymns and tunes for public and social worship #857Image
Church Psalmist: or Psalms and Hymns Designed for the Public, Social, and Private Use of Evangelical Christians ... with Supplement. 53rd ed. #P90eImage
Church Psalmist: or psalms and hymns for the public, social and private use of evangelical Christians (5th ed.) #P90eImage
Church Psalmist: or, psalms and hymns, for the public, social and private use of Evangelical Christians. With Supplement. (50th ed.) #P90eImage
Church Psalmody: a Collection of Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Public Worship #P90fImage
Church Psalmody: a Collection of Psalms and Hymns adapted to public worship #P90.6Image
Church Psalmody: or, hymns for public worship, selected from Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns, and the Congregational Hymn Book #79Image
Cole's Pocket Edition of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, Containing Most of the Tunes Used in Different Churches #d79
Conference Hymns : adapted to religious conferences, and meetings for prayer, to which is added a selection of the most favorite melodies in common use #T32Image
Congregational Hymn and Tune Book; containing the Psalms and Hymns of the General Association of Connecticut, adapted to Suitable Tunes #852Image
Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David: to which is added a collection of hymns; the whole applied to the state of the Christian church in general (Corr. and enl.) #XCeImage
Evangelical Musick: or, The Sacred Minstrel and Sacred Harp United #d46
Evangelical Musick: or, The Sacred Minstrel and Sacred Harp United: consisting of a great variety of psalm and hymn tunes, set pieces, anthems, etc. (10th ed) #43bImage
Family Hymns #d153
General Collection of Hymns, Original and Selected, for Use of Christians #d195
Harmonia Sacra, being a Compilation of Church Music. 10th ed #d195
Hymns and Spiritual Songs #d229
Hymns and Spiritual Songs. 1st Canadian ed. #d182
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Original and Selected, for the Use of Christians. (5th ed.) #P28Image
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Original and Selected, for the Use of Christians. (8th ed.) #P28Image
Hymns and Tunes: for Public and Private Worship, and Sunday Schools #66Image
Hymns for Social Worship: selected from Watts, Doddridge, Newton, Cowper, Steele and others #492Image
Hymns for the Hospital Chapel, Worcester #d130
Hymns of Progress #d114
Manual of Christian Psalmody: a collection of psalms and hymns for public worship #P90fImage
Melodies of the Church: a collection of psalms and hymns adapted to publick and social worship, seasons of revival, monthly concerts of prayer, and various similar occasions... #d606
Parish Psalmody #d448
Parish Psalmody #d460
Plymouth Collection of Hymns and Tunes; for the use of Christian Congregations #1147Image
Portsmouth Sunday School Hymn Book #d95
Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Public Worship, and Approved by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America #P90eImage
Psalms and Hymns, Adapted to Public Worship: and approved by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America: the latter being arranged according to subjects... #P90.5Image
Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Social, Private and Public Worship #d493
Psalms and Hymns: adapted to social, private and public worship in the Cumberland Presbyterian Chruch #P90fImage
Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Social, Private and Public Worship in the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. #d502
Psalms and Hymns, for Christian Use and Worship #P90.4Image
Psalms and Hymns for Public worship, Containing All the Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts ... #d540
Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #Ps.194Text
Psalms Carefully Suited to the Christian Worship in the United States of America: being an improvement of the old version of the Psalms of David #90eImage
Revival Hymns #338Image
Sacred Poetry and Music Reconciled; or a Collection of Hymns, Original and Compiled #431Image
Sacred Poetry: consisting of psalms and hymns, adapted to Christian devotion, in public and private, selected from the best authors, with variations and additions #XCcImage
Sacred Poetry: Consisting of Psalms and Hymns, adapted to Christian Devotion, in Publick and Private. New Ed. #d282
Sacred poetry: consisting of psalms and hymns adapted to Christian devotion in publick & private. New ed. #d283
Sacred Songs for Family and Social Worship: comprising the most approved spiritual hymns with chaste and popular tunes #312Image
Sacred Songs for Family and Social Worship: comprising the most approved spiritual hymns with chaste and popular tunes ( New ed. rev. and enl.) #361Image
Seamen's Devotional Assistant and Mariners' Hymns (American Seamen's Friend Society) #d289
Seamen's Devotional Assistant, and Mariners' Hymns; prepared under direction of the American Seamen's Friend Society #576Image
Select Psalms and Hymns for the use of Mr. Adgate's pupils: and proper for all singing-schools #XXIXTextImage
Select Psalms and Hymns for Youth and Suitable for All Singing Schools #d32
Selection from Tate and Brady's Version of the Psalms; with Hymns by Various Authors, for the Church in Brattle-Square #d166
Songs for Social and Public Worship #556Image
Southern Harmony, The #154TextImageAudio
Spiritual Songs for Social Worship: adapted to the use of families and private circles in seasons of revival, to missionary meetings, to the monthly concert, and to other occasions... (3rd ed.) #337Image
Spiritual Songs for Social Worship: adapted to the use of families and private circles in seasons of rivival, to missionary meetings, to the monthly concert, and to other occasions of special interest #337aImage
Spiritual Songs for Social Worship: adapted to the use of families and private circles, to missinary meetings, to monthly concert, and to other occasions of special interest.(Rev. and Enl. Ed.) #337Image
The Advent Christian Hymnal #d511
The Advent Harp; designed for believers in the speedy coming of Christ #158aImage
The American Repository of Sacred Music #d101
The American Sabbath School Singing Book: containing hymns, tunes, scriptural selections and chants, for Sabbath schools #[77a]Image
The American Vocalist: a selection of tunes, anthems, sentences, and hymns, old and new: designed for the church, the vestry, or the parlor; adapted to every variety of metre in common use. (Rev. ed.) #111aImage
The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book: being "The Plymouth Collection" enlarged and adapted to the use of Baptist churches #1147Image
The Baptist Hymn Book, in Two Parts #d349
The Baptist Psalmody: a selection of hymns for the worship of God #1164Image
The Chapel Hymn Book. 5th ed. #d216
The Chapel Hymn Book [for Warren and Pitt St. Chapels, Boston]. 4th ed. #d220
The Choir: or, Union collection of church music. Consisting of a great variety of psalm and hymn tunes, anthems, &c. original and selected. Including many beautiful subjects from the works.. (2nd ed.) #155bImage
The Choral: a Collection of Church Music, Adapted to the Worship of All Denominations #d122
The Christian Harmony: in the Seven-Syllable Character Note System. Rev. ed. #d197
The Christian Lyre #d240
The Christian Melodist: a new collection of hymns for social religious worship #495Image
The Christian Psalmist: being a collection of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs compiled from the most approved authors, and designed as a standard hymn book for public and social worship #P90hImage
The Christian Psalmist; or, Watts' Psalms and Hymns: with copious selections from other sources; the whole carefully revised and arranged, with directions for musical expression #P90eImage
The Christian Psalter #d318
The Christians Duty, exhibited, in a series of Hymns: collected from various authors, designed for the worship of God, and for the edification of Christians (1st Ed.) #CLXXIIImage
The Christian's Duty: exhibited in a series of hymns collected from various authors designed for the worship of God, and for the edification of Christians (2nd ed.) #CLXXIIImage
The Christian's Harp: containing a choice selection of psalm and hymn tunes, suited to the various metres now in use among the different religious denominations..(Corrected, enlarged and much improved #32Image
The Columbian Repository: or, Sacred Harmony: selected from European and American authors with many new tunes not before published #209Image
The Congregational Hymn Book: for the service of the sanctuary #997Image
The Devotional Hymn and Tune Book: for social and public worship #528Image
The Devotional Hymn Book #d283
The Ebenezer Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs, with an appendix Consisting of Miscellaneous Pieces. 6th ed. #d352
The Good Old Songs #d340
The Harmonia Sacra. 14th ed. #d191
The Harp #953Image
The Jubilee Harp: a choice selection of psalmody, ancient and modern, designed for use in public and social worship #275Image
The Psalmist: a new collection of hymns for the use of Baptist churches; with a supplement #1058Image
The Psalmist: a New Collection of Hymns for the Use of the Baptist Churches #1058Image
The Psalmodist: a Choice Collection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes #d130
The Psalmody: a collection of hymns for public and social worship #1059Image
The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #645TextImage
The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D.: to which are added select hymns, from other authors; and directions for musical expression (New ed.) #90eImage
The Psalms of David: imitated in the language of the New Testament. #161TextImage
The Psalms of David: imitated in the language of the New Testament, and applied to the Christian state and worship #XCeImage
The Psaltery #d158
The Saint's Harp: a collection of hymns and spiritual songs, adapted to prayer and social meetings, and seasons of revival (2nd ed., Rev. and Imp.) #200Image
The Social Psalmist: a new selection of hymns for conference meetings and family worship #306Image
The Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion. New edition, thoroughly revised and much enlarged #154aImage
The Southern Psalmist #d496
The Southern Psalmist. New ed. #d519
The Virginia Selection of Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs: from the most approved authors; adapted to the various occasions of public and social meetings (New Ed. Enl. and Imp.) #475Image
Union Hymns. Rev. #d234
Union Hymns. Rev. #d237
Zion's Hymns, for the Use of the Original Free-Will Baptist Church of North Carolina #d162
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