God My Only Happiness

Representative Text

1.
My God, my portion, and my love,
My everlasting All,
I've none but thee in heaven above,
Or on this earthly ball.

2.
What empty things are all the skies,
And this inferior clod!
There's nothing here deserves my joys,
There's nothing like my God.

3.
In vain the bright, the burning sun
Scatters his feeble light;
'Tis thy sweet beams create my noon;
If thou withdraw 'tis night.

4.
And whilst upon my restless bed,
Among the shades I roll,
If my Redeemer shows his head,
'Tis morning with my soul.

5.
To thee I owe my wealth, and friends,
And health, and safe abode:
Thanks to thy name for meaner things:
But they are not my God.

6.
How vain a toy is glittering wealth,
If once compared to thee;
Or what's my safety, or my health,
Or all my friends to me?

7.
Were I possessor of the earth,
And called the stars my own,
Without thy graces and thyself,
I were a wretch undone.

8.
Let others stretch their arms like seas,
And grasp in all the shore;
Grant me the visits of thy grace,
And I desire no more.



Source: The Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion (New ed. thoroughly rev. and much enl.) #276

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 God, my portion, and my love
Title: God My Only Happiness
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Notes

My God, my Portion and my Love. J. Watts. [God Man’s only Happiness.] Published in the first ed.ition of his Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1707 (ed. 1709, Book ii., No. 94), in 8 stanzas of 41ines, and headed "God my only Happiness." It is in common use both in full and in an abridged form. In Dale's English Hymn Book, 1874, No. 639, "My God, my life is in Thy love," is also from this hymn, and is composed of stanzas i., ii., v., vii., viii. slightly altered.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Tune

DUNLAP'S CREEK (McFarland)


ST. ANNE

Though no firm documentation exists, ST. ANNE was probably composed by William Croft (PHH 149), possibly when he was organist from 1700-1711 at St. Anne's Church in Soho, London, England. (According to tradition, St. Anne was the mother of the Virgin Mary.) The tune was first published in A Suppleme…

Go to tune page >


EMMAUS (55515)


Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 100 of 249)
Page Scan

The Faith and Doctrines of the Church of the Eternal Son #59

Page Scan

American Psalmody #90

Page Scan

Church Psalmody #H309

Page Scan

Church Psalmody #309

Page Scan

Manual of Christian Psalmody #309

Page Scan

A Pastor's Selection of Hymns and Tunes #225

Page Scan

American Psalmody #58a

Page Scan

American Psalmody #111a

TextPage Scan

Hymns and Spiritual Songs, in Three Books #II.XCIV

Primitive Baptist Hymn and Tune Book #19

Page Scan

Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs #B87

Page Scan

Temple Melodies #147

Page Scan

The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book for Public Worship #514

Page Scan

The New Harmonia Sacra #123

Page Scan

Wyeth's Repository of Sacred Music #26b

Page Scan

Hymns #286

Page Scan

Hymns #286

Page Scan

A Pocket Hymn-Book #CXLVII

Page Scan

A Collection of Hymns for the use of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in America #908

Page Scan

A Collection of Hymns for the Use of the Methodist Episcopal Church #381

Page Scan

A Collection of Hymns, for the use of the United Brethren in Christ #655

Page Scan

A Collection of Hymns, for the use of the Wesleyan Methodist Connection of America. #223

Page Scan

A Collection of Hymns #381

Page Scan

A Collection of Psalms and Hymns #288

TextPage Scan

A Pocket hymn book, designed as a constant companion for the pious #CXLVII

TextPage Scan

A Pocket Hymn Book #CXLVII

TextPage Scan

A Pocket hymn-book, designed as a constant companion for the pious #CXLVII

Page Scan

A Pocket Hymn-book #147

Text

A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. In four parts (10th ed.) (Gadsby's Hymns) #186

Page Scan

A Selection of Psalms and Hymns #73

TextPage Scan

A Selection of Psalms and Hymns #LXXIII

Page Scan

A Selection of Psalms and Hymns #73

Page Scan

African Methodist Episcopal hymn and tune book #360

Page Scan

African Methodist Episcopal hymn and tune book #360a

Page Scan

Baptist Chorals #147

Page Scan

Carmina Sanctorum, a selection of hymns and songs of praise with tunes #467

Page Scan

Carmina Sanctorum #467

Page Scan

Choice Hymns #3

Page Scan

Choral Echoes from the Church of God in All Ages #239

Text

Church Hymn Book #CCCXIV[CCIV]

Page Scan

Church Melodies #230

Page Scan

Church Pastorals, hymns and tunes for public and social worship #466

Page Scan

Church Psalmist #40

Page Scan

Church Psalmist #40

Page Scan

Church Psalmist #40

Page Scan

Devotional hymns #181

Page Scan

Dupuy's Hymns and Spiritual Songs (Rev. corr. and enl.) #243

Page Scan

Dyer's Psalmist #161

Page Scan

Free Methodist Hymnal #16

Page Scan

Hymn and Tune Book for Use in Old School or Primitive Baptist Churches #411

Page Scan

Hymn and Tune Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Round Note Ed.) #518

Page Scan

Hymn Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South #518

Page Scan

Hymn Book of the Methodist Protestant Church #413

Page Scan

Hymn Book of the Methodist Protestant Church. (11th ed.) #413

Page Scan

Hymn Book of the Methodist Protestant Church. (2nd ed.) #663

Page Scan

Hymnal of the Methodist Episcopal Church #698

Page Scan

Hymnal of the Methodist Episcopal Church #698

Page Scan

Hymns and Chants #119

Page Scan

Hymns and Songs for Social and Sabbath Worship #444

Page Scan

Hymns and Songs for Social and Sabbath Worship. (Rev. ed.) #444

Page Scan

Hymns and Songs of Praise for Public and Social Worship #740

Page Scan

Hymns for All Christians #H63

Page Scan

Hymns for all Christians #63

Page Scan

Hymns for Schools and Families, Specailly Designed for the Children of the Church #197

Page Scan

Hymns for Social Worship #194

Page Scan

Hymns for the Sanctuary #374

Page Scan

Hymns for the Sanctuary and Social Worship #650

Page Scan

Hymns for the Use of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. ed. #908

Page Scan

Hymns of the Church Militant #505

Page Scan

Many Voices; or, Carmina Sanctorum, Evangelistic Edition with Tunes #335

Page Scan

New Hymn and Tune book #57e

Page Scan

New Hymn and Tune Book #57e

Page Scan

Plymouth Collection #a587

Page Scan

Plymouth Collection of Hymns and Tunes; for the use of Christian Congregations #587

Page Scan

Prayer and Praise #55

Text

Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #II.94

Page Scan

Psalms and Hymns, Adapted to Public Worship #313

Page Scan

Psalms and Hymns, for Christian Use and Worship #H287

Page Scan

Public, Parlour, and Cottage Hymns. A New Selection #I.101

Page Scan

Sacred Songs for Family and Social Worship #16

Page Scan

Sacred Songs for Family and Social Worship #20

Page Scan

Selah #130a

Page Scan

Social Hymns, and Spiritual Songs #53

Page Scan

Southern and Western Pocket Harmonist #63

Page Scan

The African Methodist Episcopal Hymn and Tune Book #360a

Page Scan

The African Methodist Episcopal Hymn and Tune Book #360b

Page Scan

The American Vocalist #95a

Page Scan

The Baptist Harp #213

Page Scan

The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book, for Public Worship #166.514

Page Scan

The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book #587

Page Scan

The Baptist Praise Book #220

Page Scan

The Baptist Psalmody #505

Page Scan

The Chapel hymn book, with tunes #402

Page Scan

The Choice #H128

The Choice #H128

Page Scan

The Christian Hymn-Book (Corr. and Enl., 3rd. ed.) #110

Pages

Exclude 247 pre-1979 instances
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us