My heart, how dreadful hard it is!

My heart, how dreadful hard it is!

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 16 hymnals

Full Text

My heart, how dreadful hard it is!
How heavy here it lies!
Heavy and cold within my breast,
Just like a rock of ice!

Sin, like a raging tyrant, sits
Upon this flinty throne,
And every grace lies buried deep
Beneath this heart of stone.

How seldom do I rise to God,
Or taste the joys above!
This mountain presses down my faith,
And chills my flaming love.

When smiling mercy courts my Soul
With all its heav'nly charms,
This stubborn, this relentless thing
Would thrust it from my arms.

Against the thunders of thy word
Rebellious I have stood;
My heart, it shakes not at the wrath
And terrors of a God.

Dear Savior, steep this rock of mine
In thine own crimson sea!
None but a bath of blood divine
Can melt the flint away.

The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts

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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: My heart, how dreadful hard it is!
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
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Instances

Instances (16)TextImageAudioScore
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.) #WH.II.98Image
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, in Three Books: I. collected fromt he scriptures, II. composed on divine subjects, III. prepared for the Lord's Supper #II.XCVIIIImage
Hymns, Psalms, and Spiritual Songs, including Some Never Before in Print #d217
Hymns, Selected and Original, for Public and Private Worship #411Image
Hymns, Selected and Original, for Public and Private Worship (1st ed.) #411Image
Hymns: selected and original, for public and private worship (30th ed.) #411Image
Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Social, Private and Public Worship in the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. #d544
Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #II.98Text
Social Hymns, and Spiritual Songs: adapted to private and public worship, selected from various authors #328Image
The Baptist Harp: a new collection of hymns for the closet, the family, social worship, and revivals #283Image
The Baptist Hymn Book, in Two Parts #d376
The Brick Church Hymns, Designed for the Use of Social Prayer Meetings and Families, selected from the most approved authors #149Image
The Columbian Repository: or, Sacred Harmony: selected from European and American authors with many new tunes not before published #602Image
The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #371Image
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.) #B98Image
Zion's Hymns, for the Use of the Original Free-Will Baptist Church of North Carolina #d172
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