Divine Authority of the Bible

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'Twas by an order from the Lord

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 150 hymnals

Piano/Organ
	Lenten Music for Manuals, Set 2

Instrumental
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Handbells
	Ring New Songs to the Lord, Vol. 1 (easy…

Representative Text

1 'Twas by an order from the Lord,
The ancient prophets spoke His Word;
His Spirit did their tongues inspire,
And warm'd their hearts with heav'nly fire.

2 The works and wonders which they wrought
Confirmed the messages they brought:
The prophet's pen succeeds His breath,
To save the holy words from death.

3 Great God! mine eyes with pleasure look
Upon Thy precious holy book;
There my Redeemer's face I see,
And read His name who died for me.

4 Let the false raptures of the mind
Be lost, and vanish in the wind;
Here I can fix my hope secure:
This is Thy word, and must endure.

Source: Evangelical Lutheran hymnal: with music #178

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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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First Line:	'Twas by an order from the Lord
Title:	Divine Authority of the Bible
Author:	Isaac Watts
Meter:	8.8.8.8
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain

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Notes

'Twas by an order from the Lord. I. Watts. [Holy Scriptures]. From his Hymns, 1709.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

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Tune

ROCKINGHAM (Mason)

HAMBURG

Lowell Mason (PHH 96) composed HAMBURG (named after the German city) in 1824. The tune was published in the 1825 edition of Mason's Handel and Haydn Society Collection of Church Music. Mason indicated that the tune was based on a chant in the first Gregorian tone. HAMBURG is a very simple tune with…

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ILLA (Mason)

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