Whence do our mournful thoughts arise?

Whence do our mournful thoughts arise

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 71 hymnals

Full Text

Whence do our mournful thoughts arise?
And where's our courage fled?
Have restless sin and raging hell
Struck all our comforts dead?

Have we forgot th' almighty name
That formed the earth and sea?
And can an all-creating arm
Grow weary or decay?

Treasures of everlasting might
In our Jehovah dwell;
He gives the conquest to the weak
And treads their foes to hell.

Mere mortal power shall fade and die,
And youthful vigor cease:
But we that wait upon the Lord
Shall feel our strength increase.

The saints shall mount on eagles' wings,
And taste the promised bliss,
Till their unwearied feet arrive
Where perfect pleasure is.



Source: The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #202

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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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Text Information

First Line: Whence do our mournful thoughts arise
Title: Whence do our mournful thoughts arise?
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
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Notes

Whence do our mournful thoughts arise? I. Watts. [Consolation.] 1st published in his Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1707, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines, and based upon Is. xl. 27-30 (ed. 1709, Bk. i. No. 32). Another form of this hymn was given in the 1745 Draft of the Scottish Translations and Paraphrases, No. xvi., in 7 stanzas of 4 lines as "Why pour'st thou forth thine anxious plaint." In the Drafts of 1751 and 1781 further alterations were introduced until it assumed the authorized form as in the Translations and Paraphrases, of 1781. In the markings by the eldest daughter of W. Cameron the alterations of 1781 are said to be by him. The designation of the hymn is I. Watts, 1707; Translations & Paraphrases, 1745; W. Cameron, 1781. In the American Prayer Book Collection, 1826, and several later hymnals it begins "Why mournest thou, my anxious soul?" Sometimes stanzas iv.-viii. are found as a separate hymn, beginning, "Supreme in wisdom as in power," as in W. F. Stevenson's Hymns for the Church and Home, 1873. In one or two American Unitarian hymnals a cento therefrom is also given as "Mere human power shall fast decay." In Jane E. Leeson's Paraphrases and Hymns, 1853, the 1781 text is rewritten in three parts as:—(1) "Thus saith the Holy One, to Whom"; (2) "O Jacob and O Israel”; (3) "God giveth power unto the faint."

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

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Instances

Instances (71)TextImageAudioScore
A Choice Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of Christians #161Image
A Collection of Hymns, More Particularly Designed for the Use of the West Society in Boston. (2nd ed. with Additions) #XLImage
A New Selection of Psalms and Hymns from the Most Approved Authors, Adapted to Public and Private Worship. 2nd ed. #d543
A New Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs: from the best authors; designed for the use of conference meetings, private circles, and congregations (21st ed. with an appendix) #768Image
A New Version of the Psalms of David: fitted to the Tunes used in Churches #HVIIIImage
A Pastor's Selection of Hymns and Tunes: for Worship in the Church and Family #180Image
Appendix, Containing a Number of Hymns Taken Chiefly from Dr. Watts's Scriptural Collection #8Text
Appendix, Containing a Number of Hymns, Taken Chiefly from Dr. Watts's Scripture Collection #VIIIText
Book of Hymns and Tunes, comprising the psalms and hymns for the worship of God, approved by the general assembly of 1866, arranged with appropriate tunes... by authority of the assembly of 1873 #148bImage
Christian's Duty, exhibited in a series of hymns: collected from various authors, designed for the worship of God, and for the edification of Christians, recommended to the serious..(4th ed. improved) #329Image
Church Melodies, a Collection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs #d1160
Church Psalmist: or Psalms and Hymns Designed for the Public, Social, and Private Use of Evangelical Christians ... with Supplement. 53rd ed. #354Image
Church Psalmist: or psalms and hymns for the public, social and private use of evangelical Christians (5th ed.) #354Image
Church Psalmist: or, psalms and hymns, for the public, social and private use of Evangelical Christians. With Supplement. (50th ed.) #354Image
Church Psalmody: a Collection of Psalms and Hymns adapted to public worship #H319Image
Church Psalmody: a Collection of Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Public Worship #319Image
Church Psalmody: or, hymns for public worship, selected from Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns, and the Congregational Hymn Book #552Image
Hymnal of the Presbyterian Church #306Image
Hymns and Spiritual Songs #d123
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, in Three Books: I. collected fromt he scriptures, II. composed on divine subjects, III. prepared for the Lord's Supper #I.XXXIIImage
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, selected from Several Approved Authors, Recommended by the Baptist General Committee of Virginia #d226
Hymns for Christian Melody #38Image
Hymns for Social Worship: selected from Watts, Doddridge, Newton, Cowper, Steele and others #359Image
Hymns, Psalms, and Spiritual Songs, including Some Never Before in Print #d346
Manual of Christian Psalmody: a collection of psalms and hymns for public worship #319Image
Melodies of the Church: a collection of psalms and hymns adapted to publick and social worship, seasons of revival, monthly concerts of prayer, and various similar occasions... #d1112
Parish Psalmody #d941
Parish Psalmody #d958
Plymouth Collection of Hymns and Tunes; for the use of Christian Congregations #808Image
Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Public Worship, and Approved by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America #H19Image
Psalms and Hymns, Adapted to Public Worship: and approved by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America: the latter being arranged according to subjects... #306Image
Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Social, Private and Public Worship #d913
Psalms and Hymns: adapted to social, private and public worship in the Cumberland Presbyterian Chruch #358Image
Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Social, Private and Public Worship in the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. #d937
Psalms and Hymns for the Worship of God #d917
Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #I.32Text
Sacred Poetry: consisting of psalms and hymns, adapted to Christian devotion, in public and private, selected from the best authors, with variations and additions #H.CCLXIXImage
Sacred Poetry: Consisting of Psalms and Hymns, adapted to Christian Devotion, in Publick and Private. New Ed. #d536
Sacred poetry: consisting of psalms and hymns adapted to Christian devotion in publick & private. New ed. #d539
Seamen's Hymns #354Image
Seamen's Hymns and Devotional Assistant #d695
Social Psalmist: or hymns, selected for the private use and social meetings of evangelical Christians #354Image
Songs for the Sanctuary, or Hymns and Tunes for Christian Worship #ad1254
Songs for the Sanctuary: or hymns and tunes for Christian worship #649Image
Songs for the Sanctuary: or hymns and tunes for Christian Worship #649Image
Songs for the Sanctuary: or hymns and tunes for Christian Worship #649Image
Songs for the Sanctuary; or Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship (Baptist Ed.) #649Image
Songs for the Sanctuary; or, Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship (Words only) #649Image
Songs of the Church: or, hymns and tunes for Christian worship #404Image
Songs of Zion Enlarged: a manual of the best and most popular hymns and tunes, for social and private devotion #201Image
The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book: being "The Plymouth Collection" enlarged and adapted to the use of Baptist churches #808Image
The Baptist Psalmody: a selection of hymns for the worship of God #777Image
The Choice: in two parts. Part I containing psalms and hymns, Part II, containing spiritual songs. Designed for public and private worship #H182
The Choice: in two parts; Part I, containing Psalms and hymns, Part II, containing spiritual songs; designed for public and private worship (6th ed.) #H182Image
The Christian Psalmist; or, Watts' Psalms and Hymns: with copious selections from other sources; the whole carefully revised and arranged, with directions for musical expression #186Image
The Christians Duty, exhibited, in a series of Hymns: collected from various authors, designed for the worship of God, and for the edification of Christians (1st Ed.) #CCCXXIXTextImage
The Christian's Duty: exhibited in a series of hymns collected from various authors designed for the worship of God, and for the edification of Christians (2nd ed.) #CCCXXIXImage
The Columbian Repository: or, Sacred Harmony: selected from European and American authors with many new tunes not before published #394Image
The Lyrica: a collection of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, adapted to general use #249Image
The Psalmist: a new collection of hymns for the use of Baptist churches; with a supplement #623Image
The Psalmist: a New Collection of Hymns for the Use of the Baptist Churches #623Image
The Psalmody: a collection of hymns for public and social worship #610Image
The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #202TextImage
The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D.: to which are added select hymns, from other authors; and directions for musical expression (New ed.) #A32Image
The Reformed Methodist Pocket Hymnal: Revised: collected from various authors. Designed for the worship of God in all Christian churches. #II.63Image
The Sabbath Hymn and Tune Book, for the Service of Song in the House of the Lord #77cImage
The Sabbath Hymn Book. Baptist ed. #d1213
The Service of Song for Baptist Churches #d1002
The Soldier's Hymn Book. 2nd ed. #d257
The Southern Psalmist #d951
The Southern Psalmist. New ed. #d1000
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