The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. Containing, besides his Sermons, and Essays on miscellaneous subjects, several additional pieces, Selected from his Manuscripts by the Rev. Dr. Jennings, and the Rev. Dr. Doddridge, in 1753: to which are prefixed, memoirs of the life of the author, compiled by the Rev. George Burder. In six volumes |
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PSALM 41. v. 1–3. (L. M.) Charity to the Poor; or, Pity to the Afflicted.
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 | The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. |  |
PSALM 41. v. 1–3. (L. M.) Charity to the Poor; or, Pity to the Afflicted.
I
Blest is the man whose bowels moveAnd melt with pity to the poor,
Whose soul, by sympathizing love,
Feels what his fellow-saints endure.
II
His heart contrives for their reliefMore good than his own hands can do;
He, in the time of general grief,
Shall find the Lord has bowels too.
III
His soul shall live secure on earth,With secret blessings on his head,
When drought, and pestilence and dearth
Around him multiply their dead.
IV
Or, if he languish on his couch,God will pronounce his sins forgiven,
Will save him with a healing touch,
Or take his willing soul to heaven.
The last ten verses of this psalm are of quite another subject, relating to David's personal enemies, which being so frequently repeated, I have often omitted.
The positive blessings of long life, health, recovery, and security, in the midst of dangers, being so much promised in the Old Testament, and so little in the New, I have given a turn at the end of this hymn, to discourage a too confident expectation of these temporal things, and led the soul to heavenly hopes, more agreeable to the gospel.
| The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | |