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 |
IV. |
The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | ||
PSALM 80. (L. M.) The Church's Prayer under Affliction; or, the Vineyard of God wasted.
I
Great Shepherd of thine Israel,Who didst between the cherubs dwell,
And lead the tribes, thy chosen sheep,
Safe through the desert and the deep:
II
Thy church is in the desert now,Shine from on high and guide us thro';
Turn us to thee, thy love restore,
We shall be sav'd, and sigh no more.
III
Great God, whom heavenly hosts obey,How long shall we lament, and pray,
And wait in vain thy kind return?
How long shall thy fierce anger burn?
IV
Instead of wine and cheerful bread,Thy saints with their own tears are fed;
Turn us to thee, thy love restore,
We shall be sav'd, and sigh no more.
V
Hast thou not planted with thy handsA lovely vine in heathen lands?
Did not thy power defend it round,
And heavenly dews enrich the ground?
VI
How did the spreading branches shoot,And bless the nations with the fruit!
But now, dear Lord, look down and see
Thy mourning vine, that lovely tree.
VII
Why is its beauty thus defac'd?Why hast thou laid her fences waste?
Strangers and foes against her join,
And every beast devours the vine.
VIII
Return, almighty God, return,Nor let thy bleeding vineyard mourn;
Turn us to thee, thy love restore,
We shall be sav'd, and sigh no more.
IX
Lord, when this vine in Canaan grewThou wast its strength and glory too;
Attack'd in vain by all its foes
Till the fair Branch of Promise rose;
X
Fair branch, ordain'd of old to shootFrom David's stock, from Jacob's root;
Himself a noble vine, and we
The lesser branches of the tree.
XI
'Tis thy own Son; and he shall standGirt with thy strength at thy right hand;
Thy first-born Son, adorn'd and blest
With power and grace above the rest.
XII
O! for his sake attend our cry,Shine on thy churches lest they die;
Turn us to thee, thy love restore,
We shall be sav'd, and sigh no more.
The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | ||