1 When shall thy lovely face be seen?
When shall our eyes behold our God?
What lengths of distance lie between,
And hills of guilt? a heavy load!
2 Our months are ages of delay,
And slowly every moment wears:
Fly, wingèd time, and roll away
These tedious rounds of sluggish years.
3 Ye heavenly gates, loose all your chains,
Let the eternal pillars bow;
Blest Savior, cleave the starry plains,
And make the crystal mountains flow.
4 Hark, how thy saints unite their cries,
And pray and wait the general doom:
Come, Thou, the Soul of all of our Joys,
Thou, the Desire of Nations, come.
5 Put thy bright robes of triumph on,
And bless our eyes, and bless our ears,
Thou absent Love, thou dear Unknown,
Thou Fairest of ten thousand Fairs.
Source: A Selection of Hymns: from the best authors, intended to be an appendix to Dr. Watt's psalms and hymns. (1st Am. ed.) #DLXXIV
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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