Thus Saith the First, the Great Command

Thus saith the first, the great command

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 74 hymnals

Representative Text

Thus saith the first, the great command,
"Let all thy inward powers unite
To love thy Maker and thy God
With utmost vigor and delight.

"Then shall thy neighbor next in place
Share thine affections and esteem,
And let thy kindness to thyself
Measure and rule thy love to him."

This is the sense that Moses spoke,
This did the prophets preach and prove;
For want of this the law is broke,
And the whole law's fulfilled by love.

But O! how base our passions are!
How cold our charity and zeal!
Lord, fill our souls with heav'nly fire,
Or we shall ne'er perform thy will.



Source: The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #106

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: Thus saith the first, the great command
Title: Thus Saith the First, the Great Command
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.8.8.8
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 74 of 74)
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A Choice Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of Christians #195

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A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship. (45th ed.) #315

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A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship. 16th ed. #315

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A Collection of Psalms and Hymns, for Social and Private Worship #350

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A Collection of Psalms and Hymns #359

A New Selection of Psalms and Hymns from the Most Approved Authors, Adapted to Public and Private Worship. 2nd ed. #d489

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A New Version of the Psalms of David #HXXI

A Selection of Hymns from Various Authors, Supplementary for the Use of Christians. 2nd ed. #d154

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A Selection of Hymns, from Various Authors, Supplementary for the Use of Christians. 1st ed. #CXXII

A Selection of Hymns, from Various Authors #d387

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A Selection of Sacred Poetry #359

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A Selection of Sacred Poetry #359

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Appendix, Containing a Number of Hymns Taken Chiefly from Dr. Watts's Scriptural Collection #XXI

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Appendix, Containing a Number of Hymns, Taken Chiefly from Dr. Watts's Scripture Collection #XXI

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Christian Hymns for Public and Private Worship #346

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Christian Hymns #438

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Christian's Duty, exhibited in a series of hymns #S122

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Church Harmonies #501

Church Hymn Book . 3rd ed. #d528

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Church Hymn Book; consisting of hymns and psalms, original and selected. adapted to public worship and many other occasions. 2nd ed. #83

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Church Psalmody #593

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Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David #XIX

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Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David #XIX

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Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David #H.XIX

Hymns and Spiritual Songs #d101

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

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Hymns for Christian Devotion #355

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Hymns for Christian Devotion #355

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Hymns for Christian Melody #73

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Hymns for Schools #191

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Hymns for the Sanctuary #375

Hymns for the Use of the New Jerusalem Church #d245

Hymns of Progress #d197

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Hymns of the "Jubilee Harp" #a120

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Hymns, Selected from the Most Approved Authors, for the use of Trinity Church, Boston #128

Hymns, Selected from Various Authors, for the Use of the Unitarian Church in Washington #d154

Prayers and Hymns for the Church and the Home #d724

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Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #I.116

Psalms and Hymns, for Social and Private Worship #d423

Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs ... for the Use of the United Church of Christ, Commonly Called Free Will Baptist #d299

Sacred poetry #d476

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Sacred Poetry #aH.CCXLIX

Sacred Poetry #d474

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Sacred Poetry #H.CCXLIX

The Christian Psalter #d576

The Church Hymn Book #d1026

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The Gospel Psalmist #400

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The Harp #470

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The Harp. 2nd ed. #a470

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The Jubilee Harp #120

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The Lyrica #55

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The New Hymn Book, Designed for Universalist Societies #352

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The New Hymn Book, Designed for Universalist Societies #352

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The Psalmody #736

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The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #106

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The Psalms and Hymns #2a

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The Psalms of David #I.CXVI

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The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. #A116

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The Reformed Methodist Pocket Hymnal #II.106

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The Springfield Collection of Hymns for Sacred Worship #246

The Universalist Hymn Book #d461

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The Universalist Hymn-Book #452

Universalist Hymn Book #d559

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Year of Worship for Sunday Schools and Homes #24

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