What blest examples do I find
Writ in the Word of Truth,
Of children that begin to mind
Religion in their youth!
Jesus, who reigns above the sky,
And keeps the world in awe,
Was once a child as young as I,
And kept his Father’s law.
54
At twelve years old he talk’d with men,
(The Jews all wondering stand;)
Yet he obey’d his Mother then,
And came at her command.
Children a sweet hasanna sung,
And blest their Saviour’s name;
They gave him honour with their tongue,
While scribes and priests blaspheme.
Samuel the child was wean’d and brought
To wait upon the Lord:
Young Timothy betimes was taught
To know his holy Word.
Then why should I so long delay
What others learnt so soon?
I would not pass another day
Without this work begun.
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 >| First Line: | What blest examples do I find |
| Author: | Isaac Watts (1715) |
| Meter: | 8.6.8.6 |
| Language: | English |
| Copyright: | Public Domain |
My Starred Hymns