Lamenting Spiritual Sloth

Representative Text

1 My drowsy powers, why sleep ye so?
Awake, my sluggish soul!
Nothing has half thy work to do
Yet nothing's half so dull.

2 We, for whose sake all nature stands,
And stars their courses move;
We, for whose guard the angel bands
Come flying from above;

3 We, for whom God the Son came down
And labored for our good,
How careless to secure that crown
He purchased with His blood.

4 Lord, shall we lie so sluggish still,
And never act our parts?
Come, holy Dove, from th'heavenly hill,
Renew and warm our hearts.

Amen.

Source: Book of Worship with Hymns and Tunes #199

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: My drowsy powers, why sleep ye so?
Title: Lamenting Spiritual Sloth
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

SPARTA


EVAN (Havergal)

This tune is likely the work of the composer named here, but has also been attributed to others as shown in the instances list.

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BRADLEY (Swan)


Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 1 of 1)

The New Harp of Columbia, Restored Edition #38

Include 195 pre-1979 instances
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