1 How pleasant, how divinely fair,
O LORD of hosts, your dwellings are!
With long desire my spirit faints
to see the shining hosts of saints.
My flesh would rest in you abode;
my weary heart cries out for God:
"My God! My King! Why should I stay
far from the joys of endless day?"
2 The sparrow has a place to rest,
and for her young provides a nest,
but will my God to them alone
pour out his mercy from the throne?
Blest are the saints who dwell on high
around your throne, above the sky;
their brightest glories shine above,
and all their work is praise and love.
3 Great God, attend, while Zion sings
the joy that from your presence springs;
to spend a day within your courts
exceeds a thousand days apart.
You are our sun, you bless our day;
and you our shield, to guard our way
from all assaults of hell and sin,
from foes without and fears within.
4 All needed grace you will bestow,
and crown that grace with glory too;
you give all things, and you withhold
no heav'nly good from upright souls.
O God our King, whose sov'reign sway
the glorious hosts of heav'n obey,
display your grace, exert your pow'r,
till all on earth your name adore.
Source: Christian Worship: Psalter #84C
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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