God's Condescension to Human Affairs

Up to the Lord, that reigns on high

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 68 hymnals

Representative Text

Up to the Lord, that reigns on high,
And views the nations from afar,
Let everlasting praises fly,
And tell how large his bounties are.

[He that can shake the worlds he made,
Or with his word, or with his rod,
His goodness, how amazing great!
And what a condescending God!]

[God, that must stoop to view the skies,
And bow to see what angels do,
Down to our earth he casts his eyes,
And bends his footsteps downwards too.]

He overrules all mortal things,
And manages our mean affairs;
On humble souls the King of kings
Bestows his counsels and his cares.

Our sorrows and our tears we pour
Into the bosom of our God;
He hears us in the mournful hour,
And helps us bear the heavy load.

In vain might lofty princes try
Such condescension to perform;
For worms were never raised so high
Above their meanest fellow worm.

O could our thankful hearts devise
A tribute equal to thy grace,
To the third heav'n our songs should rise,
And teach the golden harps thy praise.



Source: The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #27

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: Up to the Lord, that reigns on high
Title: God's Condescension to Human Affairs
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.8.8.8
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 68 of 68)
Page Scan

Psalms and Hymns, Adapted to Public Worship #3

Page Scan

The Christian Hymn-Book (Corr. and Enl., 3rd. ed.) #166

TextPage Scan

The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #27

TextPage Scan

The Psalms of David #II.XLVI

Page Scan

A Choice Selection of Evangelical Hymns, from various authors #6

Page Scan

A Collection of Hymns and a Liturgy for the Use of Evangelical Lutheran Churches #58

Page Scan

A Collection of Hymns and a Liturgy #58

Page Scan

A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship. (45th ed.) #564

Baptist Harmony #d234

Chapel Hymns #d607

Christian Psalms and Hymns to Aid in Public and Private Devotion #d977

Church Hymn Book . 3rd ed. #d560

Hymnal of the Evangelical Church. Word ed. #d806

Page Scan

Hymns for Christian Melody #5

Hymns Selected #d223

Hymns Selected from Dr. Watts, Dr. Doddridge and Various Other Writers #d222

Parish Psalmody #d872

Parish Psalmody #d888

Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Social, Private and Public Worship #d860

Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs #d321

Page Scan

Seamen's Hymns #41

Seamen's Hymns and Devotional Assistant #d649

Page Scan

Social Psalmist #41

Songs for the New Life #d685

Page Scan

The Baptist Hymn Book #40

Page Scan

The Baptist Psalmody #68

The Book of Praise #d841

The Christian Hymn Book #d659

The Christian Hymn Book (Ohio Auglaize Christian Conference) #d271

The Christian Hymn Book. 7th ed. #d661

Page Scan

The Christian Psalmist; or, Watts' Psalms and Hymns #12

Page Scan

The Columbian Repository #550

The Gospel Praise Book #d479

The Highway to Heaven #d172

The Psalms of David ... New ed. #d243

Page Scan

The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. #B46

The Sabbath Hymn Book. Baptist ed. #d1139

The Service of Song for Baptist Churches #d946

The Service of Song for Baptist Churches #d593

The Vestry Hymn and Tune Book #d502

Page Scan

The Virginia Selection of Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs #7

Virginia Selection of Psalms #d451

Page Scan

A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship. 16th ed. #564

TextPage Scan

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

Text

Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #II.46

Page Scan

The College Hymnal #297

Page Scan

The Congregational Hymn Book #94

Page Scan

The New Congregational Hymn and Tune Book, for Public, Social and Private Worship #47

TextPage Scan

A Collection of Hymns and A Liturgy #58

Page Scan

A Selection of Hymns #45

Page Scan

Church Psalmist #41

Page Scan

Church Psalmist #41

Page Scan

Church Psalmist #41

Page Scan

Church Psalmody #190

Page Scan

Psalms and Hymns, for Christian Use and Worship #H72

Page Scan

The Presbyterian Hymnal #358

Page Scan

The Presbyterian Hymnal #358

Page Scan

The Psalmody #132

Page Scan

The Sabbath Hymn and Tune Book #389b

Page Scan

The Voice of melody #22b

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us