Vain are the hopes that rebels place

Vain are the hopes that rebels place

Author: Isaac Watts
Tune: YORK (Scottish)
Published in 13 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

Vain are the hopes that rebels place
Upon their birth and blood,
Descended from a pious race;
Their fathers now with God.

He from the caves of earth and hell
Can take the hardest stones,
And fill the house of Abram well
With new-created sons.

Such wondrous power doth he possess
Who formed our mortal frame,
Who called the world from emptiness,
The world obeyed and came.



Source: The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #148

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: Vain are the hopes that rebels place
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #7052
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
  • XML score (XML)

Instances

Instances (1 - 13 of 13)
Page Scan

A Choice Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of Christians #237

TextPage Scan

Hymns and Spiritual Songs, in Three Books #I.XCIX

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Hymns for the Sanctuary #393

Text

Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #I.99

Page Scan

The Baptist Hymn Book #248

Page Scan

The Columbian Repository #446

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The Columbian Repository #451

TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #7052

TextPage Scan

The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #148

TextPage Scan

The Psalms of David #I.XCIX

Page Scan

The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. #A99

Page Scan

The Reformed Methodist Pocket Hymnal #II.93

Exclude 12 pre-1979 instances
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