The Passion and Exaltation

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Thus saith the Ruler of the skies

Author: Isaac Watts
Tune: RESIGNATION (Billings)
Published in 20 hymnals

Printable scores: MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

Thus saith the Ruler of the skies:
"Awake, my dreadful sword;
Awake, my wrath, and smite the man,
My fellow," saith the Lord.

Vengeance received the dread command,
And armed, down she flies;
Jesus submits t' his Father's hand,
And bows his head and dies.

But O! the wisdom and the grace
That join with vengeance now!
He dies to save our guilty race,
And yet he rises too.

A person so divine was he
Who yielded to be slain,
That he could give his soul away,
And take his life again.

Live, glorious Lord, and reign on high,
Let every nation sing;
And angels sound with endless joy
The Savior and the King.

Source: Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #II.83

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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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