1 Early, my God, without delay,
I haste to seek Thy face;
My thirsty spirit faints away,
My thirsty spirit faints away,
Without Thy cheering grace.
2 So pilgrims on the scorching sand,
Beneath a burning sky,
Long for a cooling stream at hand,
Long for a cooling stream at hand,
And they must drink or die.
3 Not life itself, with all its joys,
Can best my passions move,
Or raise so high my cheerful voice,
Or raise so high my cheerful voice,
As Thy forgiving love.
4 Thus, till my last expiring day,
I'll bless my God and King;
Thus will I lift my hands to pray,
Thus will I lift my hands to pray,
And tune my lips to sing.
Source: Praise for the Lord (Expanded Edition) #123
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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