The Meditation of Heaven

My thoughts surmount these lower skies

Author: Isaac Watts
Tune: GENEVA (Cole)
Published in 47 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: Recording

Representative Text

1 My thoughts surmount these lower skies,
And look within the veil,
There springs of endless pleasure rise,
The waters never fail.

2 There I behold, with sweet delight,
The blessed Three-in-One;
And strong affections fix my sight
On God’s incarnate Son.

3 His promise stands for ever firm;
His grace shall ne’er depart;
He binds my name upon his arm,
And seals it on his heart.

4 Light are the pains that nature brings;
How short our sorrows are,
When with eternal, future things,
The present we compare!

5 I would not be a stranger still
To that celestial place,
Where I forever hope to dwell,
Near my Redeemer’s face.


Source: A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. In four parts (10th ed.) (Gadsby's Hymns) #479

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 thoughts surmount these lower skies
Title: The Meditation of Heaven
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

GENEVA (Cole)


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.

Go to tune page >


RINGE


Timeline

Media

Harmonia Americana: containing a concise introduction to the grounds of music; with a variety of airs, suitable fore divine worship and the use of musical societies; consisting of three and four parts #29
  • PDF (PDF)
  • MusicXML (made with MuseScore) (XML)

Instances

Instances (1 - 47 of 47)
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A New Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs #182

Text

A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. In four parts (10th ed.) (Gadsby's Hymns) #479

A. M. E. C. Hymnal #308

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African Methodist Episcopal hymn and tune book #483

Banner of Love No. 1 for the Sunday School #d20

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Church Pastorals, hymns and tunes for public and social worship #236

Evangelical Musick #d50

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Evangelical Musick #79

TextScoreAudioPage Scan

Harmonia Americana #29

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Hymnal #483

TextPage Scan

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

Parish Psalmody #d521

Parish Psalmody #d534

Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Social, Private and Public Worship in the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. #d563

Psalms and Hymns for the Worship of God #d521

Text

Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #II.162

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Psalms and Hymns, Adapted to Public Worship #187

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The African Methodist Episcopal Hymn and Tune Book #483

The Baptist Hymn Book, in Two Parts #d384

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The Baptist Psalmody #809

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The Chapel hymn book, with tunes #455

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The Choice #H144

The Choice #H144

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The Columbian Repository #666

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The Congregational Hymn Book #516

The Good Old Songs #d380

The Good Old Songs #d380

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The New Congregational Hymn and Tune Book, for Public, Social and Private Worship #337

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The Presbyterian Hymnal #778

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The Presbyterian Hymnal #778

The Primitive Hymns #d408

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The Psalmist #629

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The Psalmist #629

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The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #288

TextPage Scan

The Psalms of David #II.CLXII

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The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. #B162

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The Sabbath Hymn and Tune Book #171a

The Sabbath Hymn Book. Baptist ed. #d683

The Service of Song for Baptist Churches #d581

The Southern Psalmist #d547

The Southern Psalmist. New ed. #d570

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The Spirit of Praise #159

The Vestry Hymn Book #d307

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