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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 | The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. |  |
PSALM 40. v. 6–9. Second Part. (C. M.) The Incarnation and Sacrifice of Christ.
I
Thus saith the Lord, ‘Your work is vain,‘Give your burnt offerings o'er,
‘In dying goats and bullocks slain
‘My soul delights no more.’
II
Then spake the Saviour, ‘Lo, I'm here,‘My God, to do thy will;
‘Whate'er thy sacred books declare,
‘Thy servant shall fulfil.
III
‘Thy law is ever in my sight,‘I keep it near my heart;
‘Mine ears are open'd with delight
‘To what thy lips impart.’
IV
And see, the bless'd Redeemer comes,Th'eternal Son appears,
And at th'appointed time assumes
The body God prepares.
V
Much he reveal'd his Father's grace,And much his truth he shew'd,
And preach'd the way of righteousness,
Where great assemblies stood.
VI
His Father's honour touch'd his heart,He pity'd sinners' cries,
And, to fulfil a Saviour's part,
Was made a sacrifice.
VII
No blood of beasts on altars shedCould wash the conscience clean;
But the rich sacrifice he paid
Atones for all our sin.
VIII
Then was the great salvation spread,And Satan's kingdom shook;
Thus by the woman's promis'd seed
The serpent's head was broke.
If David had written this psalm in the days of the gospel, surely he would have given a much more express and particular account of the sacrifice of Christ, as he hath done of his preaching, verse 9, 10. and enlarged as Paul doth in Heb. x. 4, &c. where this psalm is cited. I have done no more therefore in this paraphrase, than what I am persuaded the psalmist himself would have done in the time of christianity.
The scriptures which I have used here on this occasion, are, Heb. x. 4. It is not possible the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sin. verse 5. A body hast thou prepared me. John vii. 18. I seek the glory of him that sent me. Heb. x. 26. He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Gen. iii. 15. The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head.
| The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | |