God's Condescension to Our Worship

Thy favors, Lord, surprise our souls

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 25 hymnals

Representative Text

Thy favors, Lord, surprise our souls;
Will the Eternal dwell with us?
What canst thou find beneath the poles
To tempt thy chariot downward thus?

Still might he fill his starry throne,
And please his ears with Gabriel's songs;
But th' heav'nly Majesty comes down,
And bows to hearken to our tongues.

Great God! what poor returns we pay
For love so infinite as thine!
Words are but air, and tongues but clay;
But thy compassion's all divine.



Source: Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #II.45

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: Thy favors, Lord, surprise our souls
Title: God's Condescension to Our Worship
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.8.8.8
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 25 of 25)

A Baptist Hymn Book, Designed Especially for the Regular Baptist Church and All Lovers of Truth #d779

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A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship. (45th ed.) #563

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A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship. 16th ed. #563

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A New Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs #316

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Church Psalmody #189

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Hymn Book for Christian Worship #60

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Hymn Book for Christian Worship. 8th ed. #a60

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

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Hymns for Christian Melody #4

Hymns of Zion #d213

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Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #II.45

Select Hymns #d452

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Select Hymns #4

The Christian Psalter #d578

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The Columbian Repository #549

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The Harp #47

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The Harp. 2nd ed. #a47

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The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #423

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The Psalms of David #II.XLV

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The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. #B45

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The Reformed Methodist Pocket Hymnal #II.155

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