Religion is the chief concern

Religion is the chief concern

Author: John Fawcett
Published in 233 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI, Recording

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1 Religion is the chief concern
Of mortals here below:
May I its great importance learn,
Its sovereign virtue know.

2 More needful this, than glittering wealth,
Or aught the world bestows;
Nor reputation, food, or health,
Can give us such repose.

3 Religion should our thoughts engage
Amidst our youthful bloom;
'Twill fit us for declining age,
And for the awful tomb.

4 O may my heart, by grace renewed
Be my Redeemer's throne;
And be my stubborn will subdued,
His government to own!

5 Let deep repentance, faith, and love
Be joined with godly fear;
And all my conversation prove
My heart to be sincere.

6 Preserve me from the snares of sin
Through my remaining days;
And in me let each virtue shine
To my Redeemer's praise.

7 Let lively hope my soul inspire;
Let warm affections rise;
And may I wait with strong desire
To mount above the skies.

The Christian's duty, exhibited in a series of hymns, 1791

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Author: John Fawcett

Fawcett, John, D.D., was born Jan. 6, 1739 or 1740, at Lidget Green, near Bradford, Yorks. Converted at the age of sixteen under the ministry of G. Whitefield, he at first joined the Methodists, but three years later united with the Baptist Church at Bradford. Having begun to preach he was, in 1765, ordained Baptist minister at Wainsgate, near Hebden Bridge, Yorks. In 1772 he was invited to London, to succeed the celebrated Dr. J. Gill, as pastor of Carter's Lane; the invitation had been formally accepted, the farewell sermon at Wainsgate had been preached and the wagons loaded with his goods for removal, when the love and tears of his attached people prevailed and he decided to remain. In 1777 a new chapel was built for him at Hebden Brid… Go to person page >

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Text Information

First Line: Religion is the chief concern
Author: John Fawcett
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
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Notes

Religion is the chief concern. J. Fawcett. [Pure Religion desired.] Published in his Hymns, &c, 1782, No. 68, in 8 stanzas of 4 lines, and entitled "The Nature and Necessity of inward Religion." It is in common use in an abbreviated form, under the original opening line, and also as, "O may my heart, by grace renew'd."

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

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Instances

Instances (233)TextImageAudioScore
A Baptist Hymn Book, Designed Especially for the Regular Baptist Church and All Lovers of Truth #d625
A Choice Selection of Hymns. 6th ed. #d215
A Choice Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of the Baptist Church and all lovers of song #375Image
A Choice Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of Christians #582Image
A Collection of Hymns and Psalms for the Use of Singing School and Musical Societies #d125
A Collection of Hymns and Sacred Songs. 19th ed. #d371
A Collection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Generally Used at Camp and Prayer Meetings #d185
A Collection of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion #d212
A Collection of Hymns from Various Authors. New ed. #d273
A Collection of Hymns & Spiritual Songs, for Public and Family Worship #d102
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for the use of Universalist Societies and Families (13th ed.) #442Image
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for the Use of Universalist Societies and Families 16ed. #442Image
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns Suited to the Various Occasions of Public Worship #d268
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns: suited to the various occasions of public worship and private devotion #261Image
A Collection of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs #d256
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... #424Image
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.) #261Image
A Collection of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs Suited to the Various Occasions of Public Worship. 2nd ed. #d270
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 #261Image
A Collection of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs: with the music of Mason's Sacred Harp and Missouri Harmony adapted #405Image
A Collection of Spiritual Hymns: adapted to the Various Kinds of Christian Worship, and especially designed for the use of the Brethren in Christ. 2nd ed. #311Image
A Manual of Devotion and Hymns for the House of Refuge, City of New York #187Image
A New and Choice Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the Use of the Regular Baptist Church. 10th ed. #d412
A New Selection of Psalms and Hymns from the Most Approved Authors, Adapted to Public and Private Worship. 2nd ed. #d404
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) #116Image
A Prayer Meeting and Revival Hymn Book . 27th ed. #d391
A Selection of Hymns #d233
A Selection of Hymns....3d ed #d193
A Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs: designed (especially the former part) for the use of congregations as an appendix to Dr. Watt's Psalms and Hymn #H.CLXXXVIImage
A Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs from the Best Authors #d164
A Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs: in two parts, part I. containing the hymns; part II. containing the songs...(3rd ed. corr. and enl. by author) #H.CLXXXVIImage
A Selection of Hymns for the Use of Church of England Sunday Schools, Bible Classes ... New ed. #d238
A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors.: including a great number of originals: intended to be an appendix to Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns. (Woodward's rev. and corr. ed.; Sterotype ed.) #284aImage
A Selection of Hymns, from Various Authors: adapted to Public Worship and Social Prayer Meetings #d317
A Selection of Hymns & Psalms: from the most approved authors: principally from Watts & Rippon: together with originals #208Image
A Selection of Psalms and Hymns #d50
A Selection of Psalms and Hymns, for the use of Sunday Schools #3Image
A Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, from the Most Approved Authors ... of the Church of Christ #d248
American Sunday School Psalmody; or, hymns and music, for the use of Sunday-schools and teacher's meetings; with a manual of instruction #34Image
Association Songs No.1 #d132
Baptist Chorals: a tune and hymn book designed to promote general congregational singing; containing one hundred and sixty four tunes adapted to about four hundred choice hymns #130Image
Baptist Harmony #d189
Baptist Songs with Music #d156
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 #116aImage
Canadian Sabbath-School Hymn Book #d210
Children's Praise #d117
Choice Hymns: for social and private devotion, Lord's Day schools and revivals. (2nd ed.) #258Image
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.) #SH205Image
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) #243Image
Church Harmonies: a collection of hymns and tunes for the use of Congregations #528Image
Compilation of Hymns for the Use of the Churches of the Christian Union #d591
Conference Hymns : adapted to religious conferences, and meetings for prayer, to which is added a selection of the most favorite melodies in common use #180Image
Conference Hymns and Tunes #d90
Die neue Harmonie ... versehen mit Deutschen und Englische texte. 2nd ed. (The New Harmony) #d89
Dupuy's Hymns and Spiritual Songs (Rev. corr. and enl.) #148Image
Evangelical Hymns: for private, family, social, and public worship; selected from various authors (3rd ed. enl.) #151Image
Familiar Hymns, Alphabetically Arranged. #d208
Family Hymns #d200
General Baptist Hymn Book #d393
Gospel Hymns and Tune Book #d299
Hymn and Tune Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Round Note Ed.) #516Image
Hymn Book of the Colored M.E. Church in America #d436
Hymn Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South #516Image
Hymn Book of the Methodist Protestant Church #541Image
Hymn Book of the Methodist Protestant Church. (11th ed.) #541Image
Hymns and Spiritual Songs (New ed.) #58Image
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Selected and Original. 7th ed. #d355
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, selected from Several Approved Authors, Recommended by the Baptist General Committee of Virginia #d160
Hymns for Christian Melody #786Image
Hymns for Conference Meetings and Private Devotions: Selected from Watts' Psalms and Hymns and Rippon's Supplement #d106
Hymns for Good Children #d11
Hymns for Schools and Families #d87
Hymns for Schools and Families #d399
Hymns for Schools and Families, Specailly Designed for the Children of the Church #383Image
Hymns for Social Meetings #A9Image
Hymns for Social Worship: collected from various authors #119Image
Hymns for Social Worship: selected from Watts, Doddridge, Newton, Cowper, Steele and others #224Image
Hymns for Sunday Schools #125Image
Hymns for Sunday Schools, Selected from Various Authoors #d178
Hymns for Sunday Schools, Youth and Children #241Image
Hymns for Sunday Schools, Youth, and Children #241Image
Hymns for the Camp. (3rd ed. rev. and enl.) #41Image
Hymns for the Use of the Brethren in Christ #d405
Hymns for Youth, Suitable to be Used in Sabbath and Parochial Schools #98Image
Hymns of Grace: a Choice Collection of Hymns Honoring and Promoting the Reigning Grace of God #d353
Hymns of the Ages for Public and Social Worship #165Image
Hymns of the Ages for Public and Social Worship, Approved and Recommended ... by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. 2nd ed. #d437
Hymns of The Voice of Praise #d215
Hymns of Worship and Songs of the Gospel #d234
Hymns of Zion #d168
Hymns, Psalms, and Spiritual Songs, including Some Never Before in Print #d260
Hymns, Selected and Arranged for the Sunday School of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Matthew, Philadelphia #d151
Hymns: selected and original, for public and private worship (30th ed.) #790Image
Hymns: selected and original, for public and private worship (4th ed. 3rd rev. ed.) #813Image
Hymns: selected and original, for public and private worship (60th ed., 1st rev. ed.) #813Image
Hymns, Selected and Original, for Public and Private Worship, published by General Synod for the Evangelical Lutheran Church. 68th ed. (8th rev. ed.) #d649
Hymns, Selected and Original, for Sunday Schools of the Evangelical Lutheran Church #d360
Hymns : selected from various authors for the use of the Evangelical Association, and all lovers of pious devotion (5th ed.) #529Image
Melodies of Heaven #d112
Missionary Hymns #d83
New Union Hymns #213Image
Our Favorite Hymnal #d259
Our Hymns of Love, a Choice Collection of Gospel Songs #d158
Parish Hymns: a collection of hymns for public, social, and private worship; selected and original #216Image
Parish Psalmody #d676
Parish Psalmody #d689
Pilgrim's Hymnal, a Book of Choice Songs for the Home and All the Services of the Churches #d169
Pocket Hymns: original and selected. designed for the use of the regular Baptist church, and all who love our Lord Jesus Christ #318Image
Prayers and Hymns for the Church and Home #d557
Prayers for the Use of Families with a Selection of Hymns #d106
Precious Gems No.l #240Image
Primitive Baptist Hymn Book for All Lovers of Sacred Song. 3rd ed. #d157
Primitive Baptist Hymnal #d271
Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Public Worship, and Approved by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America #H308Image
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... #220Image
Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Social, Private and Public Worship #d672
Psalms and Hymns: adapted to social, private and public worship in the Cumberland Presbyterian Chruch #385Image
Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Social, Private and Public Worship in the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. #d694
Psalms and Hymns, for the Use of the German Reformed Church, in the United States of America. (2nd ed.) #392Image
Psalms and Hymns for the Worship of God #d676
Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs #d237
Resurrected Songs prepared for the Church #d189
Revival Songs. 4th ed. #d213
Revival Songs : a new collection of hymns and spiritual songs for closet and family worship, prayer, conference, revival and protracted meetings #6Image
Sabbath School Choir #d30
Sacred Melodies #d213
Sacred Melodies: a Collection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs, for the Use of Families. 1st ed. #d60
Seamen's Devotional Assistant and Mariners' Hymns (American Seamen's Friend Society) #d401
Seamen's Devotional Assistant, and Mariners' Hymns; prepared under direction of the American Seamen's Friend Society #253Image
Select Hymns #d371
Select Hymns: adapted to the devotional exercises of the Baptist denomination (2nd ed.) #294Image
Select Hymns: the third part of Christian Psalmody; with directions for musical expression (Stereotype ed.) #205Image
Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, intended to be an Appendix to Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns. (1st Am. ed.) #CCLXXXIVImage
Social Harmony #d45
Social Hymns, and Spiritual Songs: adapted to private and public worship, selected from various authors #341Image
Songs for Social and Public Worship #379Image
Southern Harmony, The #66TextImageAudio
Sunday School Hymn Book. (19th ed) #104Image
Sunday-School Hymns #142Image
The A. M. E. Zion Hymnal #d445
The American Baptist Sabbath-School Hymn-Book #399Image
The American Sunday-School Hymn-Book #261Image
The Baptist Harmony #d302
The Baptist Harmony #d311
The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book, for Public Worship #264.859Image
The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book for Public Worship #859Image
The Baptist Hymn Book #859Image
The Baptist Hymn Book, in Two Parts #d470
The Baptist Hymn Book: original and selected: in two parts #332Image
The Baptist Psalmody: a selection of hymns for the worship of God #372Image
The Baptist Sabbath School Hymn Book #d321
The Canadian Baptist Hymn Book #575Image
The Child's Hymn Book #45Image
The Choice: in two parts. Part I containing psalms and hymns, Part II, containing spiritual songs. Designed for public and private worship #H286
The Choice: in two parts; Part I, containing Psalms and hymns, Part II, containing spiritual songs; designed for public and private worship (6th ed.) #H286Image
The Christian Harmony: in the Seven-Syllable Character Note System. Rev. ed. #d277
The Christian Hymn Book #d524
The Christian Hymn Book. 7th ed. #d527
The Christian Hymn-Book (Corr. and Enl., 3rd. ed.) #60Image
The Christian Melodist: a new collection of hymns for social religious worship #168Image
The Christian Psalmist #d565
The Christian Psalmist (Numeral ed.) 10th ed., 1st rev. ed. #d312
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.) #CCXLIIITextImage
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.) #CCXLIIIImage
The Church Hymn Book #d451
The Church Hymn Book #d801
The Complete Church Hymnal #d233
The Confederate Sunday School Hymn Book #d101
The Congregational Hymn Book: for the service of the sanctuary #896Image
The Devotional Hymn and Tune Book: for social and public worship #232Image
The Devotional Hymn Book #d393
The Ebenezer Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs, with an appendix Consisting of Miscellaneous Pieces. 6th ed. #d451
The Good Old Songs #d456
The Gospel Alarm #d131
The Gospel Psalmist #326Image
The Halifax Selection of Hymns: intended as a Supplement to Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns #d338
The Hartford Selection of Hymns from the Most Approved Authors: to which are added a number never before published #CLXXIVImage
The Hartford Selection of Hymns from the most approved authors to which are added, a number never before published. #174Image
The Hartford Selection of Hymns: from the most approved authors: to which are added a number never before published (2nd ed.) #CLXXIVImage
The Lexington Collection: being a selection of hymns, and spiritual songs, from the best authors (3rd. ed., corr.) #165Image
The Methodist Hymnal #314Image
The New Baptist Psalmist and Tune Book: for churches and Sunday-schools #150Image
The New Congregational Hymn and Tune Book, for Public, Social and Private Worship #326Image
The New England Sunday School Hymn Book #d117
The New Golden Chain of Sabbath School Melodies: containing every piece (music and words) of the golden chain, with abot third additional #94bImage
The New Hymn Book: a Collection of Hymns for Public, Social, and Domestic Worship #211Image
The New Hymn Book, Designed for Universalist Societies: compiled from approved authors, with variations and additions (9th ed.) #356Image
The New Hymn Book, Designed for Universalist Societies: compiled from approved authors, with variations and additions. Second Ed. #356Image
The Old Baptist Hymn Book #d230
The Old School Hymnal No. 7. Rev. #d228
The Prayer Meeting Hymn Book: a Selection of Standard Evangelical Hymns for Prayer and Conference Meetings #d221
The Primitive Hymns, Spiritual Songs and Sacred Poems Regularly Selected, Classified and Set in Order ... Stereotype ed. #d482
The Providence Selection of Hymns, Supplementary to Dr. Watts. #d203
The Psalmist: a new collection of hymns for the use of Baptist churches; with a supplement #765Image
The Psalmist: a New Collection of Hymns for the Use of the Baptist Churches #765Image
The Psalmody: a collection of hymns for public and social worship #1035Image
The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #1002aImage
The Psalms and Hymns: with the catechism, confession of faith and liturgy of the Reformed Dutch Church in North America #43aImage
The Psalms and Hymns, with the Catechism, Confession of Faith, and Liturgy, of the Reformed Dutch Church in North America #43aImage
The Psalms and Hymns, with the Doctrinal Standards and Liturgy of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in North America #H237Image
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.) #D205Image
The Psalms of David: with hymns and spiritual songs: also, the catechism, confession of faith, and liturgy of the Reformed Church in the Netherlands #H43Image
The Revivalist: Containing One Hundred Choice Revival Hymns, and One Hundred and Twenty-five Choruses: Designed for Use On Revival Occasions. (1st ed) #65Image
The Sabbath School Hymn Book #d222
The Sacred Harp. New ed. #d64
The Singing Book for Boys' and Girls' Meetings: a collection of easy songs and tunes #162bImage
The Social Harp #d34
The Social Harp: Comprising the Richest Variety of Spiritual Songs ... #d255
The Social Harp. Rev. #d309
The Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion. New edition, thoroughly revised and much enlarged #66Image
The Southern Psalmist #d692
The Southern Psalmist. New ed. #d725
The Sunday School Melodist #d79
The Union Singing Book #d93
The Union Singing Book: arranged for and adapted to the Sunday school union hymn book #97bImage
The Vestry Hymn Book #d377
The Village Hymn book #d229
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.) #335Image
The Voice of Praise #d214
Times of Refreshing: a New Collection of Gospel Hymns and Songs #d147
Times of Refreshing: a Winnowed Collection of Gospel Hymns and Songs. Rev. #d153
Times of Refreshing: Old and New Century Hymns and Songs. 20th cent. ed. #d188
Union Hymns. Rev. #d320
Union Hymns. Rev. #d328
Union Prayer Meeting Hymns #d182
Union Prayer Meeting Hymns #d182
Universalist Hymn Book #d450
Village Hymns #d448
Village hymns for social worship, selected and original: designed as a supplement to Dr. Watts's Psalms and hymns (Stereotyped ed.) #542Image
Village Hymns for Social Worship, Selected and Original: designed as a supplement to the Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts (6th ed.) #542Image
Worship in the School Room #d138
Worship in the School Room: a manual of devotion intended especially for the school, also adapted to the family #274Image
Zion's Hymns, for the Use of the Original Free-Will Baptist Church of North Carolina #d221
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