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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| DIVINE SONGS ATTEMPTED IN EASY LANGUAGE, FOR THE USE OF CHILDREN,
WITH SOME ADDITIONAL COMPOSURES. |
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 | The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. |  |
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DIVINE SONGS ATTEMPTED IN EASY LANGUAGE, FOR THE USE OF CHILDREN, WITH SOME ADDITIONAL COMPOSURES.
OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES AND SUCKLINGS, THOU HAST PERFECTED PRAISE.
MATT. xxi. 16.
393
SONG 1. A general Song of Praise to God.
I
How glorious is our heav'nly King,Who reigns above the sky!
How shall a child presume to sing
His dreadful majesty?
II
How great his pow'r is, none can tell,Nor think how large his grace;
Not men below, nor saints that dwell
On high before his face.
III
Not angels that stand round the LordCan search his secret will;
But they perform his heav'nly word,
And sing his praises still.
IV
Then let me join this holy train,And my first off'rings bring;
Th'eternal God will not disdain
To hear an infant sing.
V
My heart resolves, my tongue obeys,And angels shall rejoice
To hear their mighty Maker's praise
Sound from a feeble voice.
SONG 2. Praise for Creation and Providence.
I
I sing th'almighty power of God,That made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
And built the lofty skies!
II
I sing the wisdom that ordain'dThe sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at his command
And all the stars obey.
III
I sing the goodness of the Lord,That fill'd the earth with food;
He form'd the creatures with his word,
And then pronounc'd them good.
IV
Lord, how thy wonders are display'd,Where'er I turn my eye!
If I survey the ground I tread,
Or gaze upon the sky!
V
There's not a plant, or flower below,But makes thy glories known;
And clouds arise, and tempests blow,
By order from thy throne.
VI
Creatures (as num'rous as they be)Are subject to thy care;
There's not a place where we can flee,
But God is present there.
VII
In heaven he shines with beams of love,With wrath in hell beneath!
'Tis on his earth I stand or move,
And 'tis his air I breathe.
VIII
His hand is my perpetual guard;He keeps me with his eye:
Why should I then forget the Lord,
Who is for ever nigh?
394
SONG 3. Praise to God for our Redemption.
I
Blest be the wisdom, and the pow'rThe justice and the grace,
That join'd in counsel to restore,
And save our ruin'd race.
II
Our father ate forbidden fruit,And from his glory fell;
And we his children thus were brought
To death, and near to hell.
III
Blest be the Lord that sent his SonTo take our flesh and blood;
He for our lives gave up his own,
To make our peace with God.
IV
He honour'd all his Father's laws,Which we have disobey'd;
He bore our sins upon the cross,
And our full ransom paid.
V
Behold him rising from the grave,Behold him rais'd on high;
He pleads his merit there, to save
Transgressors doom'd to die.
VI
There on a glorious throne he reigns,And by his power divine
Redeems us from the slavish chains
Of Satan and of sin.
VII
Thence shall the Lord to judgment come,And with a sovereign voice
Shall call, and break up every tomb,
While waking saints rejoice.
VIII
O may I then with joy appearBefore the Judge's face,
And with the bless'd assembly there
Sing his redeeming grace!
SONG 4. Praise for Mercies, Spiritual and Temporal.
I
Whene'er I take my walks abroad,How many poor I see;
What shall I render to my God
For all his gifts to me?
II
Not more than others I deserve,Yet God hath given me more;
For I have food, while others starve,
Or beg from door to door.
III
How many children in the streetHalf naked I behold?
While I am cloth'd from head to feet,
And cover'd from the cold.
IV
While some poor wretches scarce can tellWhere they may lay their head,
I have a home wherein to dwell
And rest upon my bed.
V
While others early learn to swear,And curse, and lie, and steal;
Lord, I am taught thy name to fear,
And do thy holy will.
VI
Are these thy favours, day by day,To me above the rest?
Then let me love thee more than they,
And try to serve thee best.
SONG 5. Praise for Birth and Education in a Christian Land.
I
Great God, to thee my voice I raise,To thee my youngest hours belong;
I would begin my life with praise,
Till growing years improve the song.
II
'Tis to thy sovereign grace I oweThat I was born on British ground,
Where streams of heav'nly mercy flow,
And words of sweet salvation sound.
III
I would not change my native landFor rich Peru, with all her gold;
A nobler prize lies in my hand,
Than East or Western Indies hold.
IV
How do I pity those that dwellWhere ignorance and darkness reigns?
They know no heav'n, they fear no hell,
Those endless joys, those endless pains.
V
Thy glorious promises, O Lord,Kindle my hopes and my desire;
While all the preachers of thy word
Warn me to 'scape eternal fire.
VI
Thy praise shall still employ my breath,Since thou hast mark'd my way to heav'n;
Nor will I run the road to death,
And waste the blessings thou hast given.
395
SONG 6. Praise for the Gospel.
I
Lord, I ascribe it to thy grace,And not to chance, as others do,
That I was born of christian race,
And not a heathen or a Jew.
II
What would the ancient jewish kings,And jewish prophets once have giv'n,
Could they have heard these glorious things,
Which Christ reveal'd and brought from heav'n?
III
How glad the heathens would have been,That worship'd idols, wood and stone,
If they the book of God had seen,
Or Jesus and his gospel known!
IV
Then if this gospel I refuse,How shall I e'er lift up mine eyes?
For all the gentiles and the Jews
Against me will in judgment rise.
SONG 7. The Excellency of the Bible.
I
Great God, with wonder and with praiseOn all thy works I look;
But still thy wisdom, pow'r, and grace,
Shines brightest in thy book.
II
The stars that in their courses roll,Have much instruction giv'n;
But thy good word informs my soul
How I may climb to heav'n.
III
The fields provide me food, and shewThe goodness of the Lord;
But fruits of life and glory grow
In thy most holy word.
IV
Here are my choicest treasures hid,Here my best comfort lies;
Here my desires are satisfy'd,
And hence my hopes arise.
V
Lord, make me understand thy law;Shew what my faults have been;
And from thy gospel let me draw
Pardon for all my sin.
VI
Here would I learn how Christ has dy'dTo save my soul from hell:
Not all the books on earth beside
Such heav'nly wonders tell.
VII
Then let me love my Bible more,And take a fresh delight
By day to read these wonders o'er,
And meditate by night.
SONG 8. Praise to God for learning to read.
I
The praises of my tongueI offer to the Lord,
That I was taught, and learnt so young
To read his holy word.
II
That I am brought to knowThe danger I was in,
By nature and by practice too,
A wretched slave to sin.
III
That I am led to seeI can do nothing well;
And whither shall a sinner flee
To save himself from hell?
IV
Dear Lord, this book of thineInforms me where to go
For grace to pardon all my sin,
And make me holy too.
V
Here I can read and learn,How Christ, the Son of God,
Did undertake our great concern;
Our ransom cost his blood.
VI
And now he reigns above,He sends his Spirit down
To shew the wonders of his love,
And make his gospel known.
VII
O may that Spirit teach,And make my heart receive
Those truths which all thy servants preach,
And all thy saints believe.
VIII
Then shall I praise the Lord,In a more cheerful strain,
That I was taught to read his word,
And have not learnt in vain.
SONG 9. The All-seeing God.
I
Almighty God, thy piercing eyeStrikes thro' the shades of night;
And our most secret actions lie
All open to thy sight.
396
II
There's not a sin that we commit,Nor wicked word we say,
But in thy dreadful book 'tis writ,
Against the judgment day.
III
And must the crimes that I have doneBe read and publish'd there?
Be all expos'd before the sun,
While men and angels hear?
IV
Lord, at thy foot asham'd I lie;Upwards I dare not look;
Pardon my sins before I die,
And blot them from thy book.
V
Remember all the dying painsThat my Redeemer felt,
And let his blood wash out my stains,
And answer for my guilt.
VI
O may I now for ever fearT'indulge a sinful thought,
Since the great God can see and hear,
And writes down ev'ry fault.
SONG 10. Solemn Thoughts of God and Death.
I
There is a God that reigns above,Lord of the heav'ns, and earth, and seas:
I fear his wrath, I ask his love,
And with my lips I sing his praise.
II
There is a law which he has writ,To teach us all what we must do:
My soul, to his commands submit,
For they are holy, just, and true.
III
There is a gospel of rich grace,Whence sinners all their comforts draw:
Lord, I repent, and seek thy face,
For I have often broke thy law.
IV
There is an hour when I must die,Nor do I know how soon 'twill come;
A thousand children, young as I,
Are call'd by death to hear their doom.
V
Let me improve the hours I have,Before the day of grace is fled:
There's no repentance in the grave,
Nor pardons offer'd to the dead.
VI
Just as the tree, cut down, that fellTo north or southward, there it lies;
So man departs to heav'n or hell,
Fix'd in the state wherein he dies.
SONG 11. Heaven and Hell.
I
There is beyond the skyA heav'n of joy and love;
And holy children, when they die,
Go to that world above.
II
There is a dreadful hell,And everlasting pains:
There sinners must with devils dwell
In darkness, fire, and chains.
III
Can such a wretch as IEscape this cursed end?
And may I hope, whene'er I die,
I shall to heav'n ascend?
IV
Then will I read and pray,While I have life and breath;
Lest I should be cut off to-day,
And sent t'eternal death.
SONG 12. The Advantages of early Religion.
I
Happy the child whose tender yearsReceive instructions well:
Who hates the sinner's path, and fears
The road that leads to hell.
II
When we devote our youth to God,'Tis pleasing in his eyes;
A flow'r, when offer'd in the bud,
Is no vain sacrifice.
III
'Tis easier work, if we beginTo fear the Lord betimes;
While sinners that grow old in sin,
Are harden'd in their crimes.
IV
'Twill save us from a thousand snares,To mind religion young;
Grace will preserve our following years,
And make our virtue strong.
V
To Thee, Almighty God to Thee,Our childhood we resign;
'Twill please us to look back and see
That our whole lives were thine.
VI
Let the sweet work of pray'r and praiseEmploy my youngest breath;
Thus I'm prepar'd for longer days,
Or fit for early death.
397
SONG 13. The Danger of Delay.
I
Why should I say, ‘'Tis yet too soon‘To seek for heav'n, or think of death?’
A flow'r may fade before 'tis noon,
And I this day may lose my breath.
II
If this rebellious heart of mineDespise the gracious calls of heav'n;
I may be harden'd in my sin,
And never have repentance giv'n.
III
What if the Lord grow wroth and swearWhile I refuse to read and pray,
That he'll refuse to lend an ear
To all my groans another day!
IV
What if his dreadful anger burn,While I refuse his offer'd grace,
And all his love to fury turn,
And strike me dead upon the place!
V
'Tis dang'rous to provoke a God!His pow'r and vengeance none can tell;
One stroke of his almighty rod
Shall send young sinners quick to hell.
VI
Then 'twill for ever be in vainTo cry for pardon and for grace;
To wish I had my time again,
Or hope to see my Maker's face.
SONG 14. Examples of early Piety.
I
What bless'd examples do I find,Writ in the word of truth,
Of children that began to mind
Religion in their youth!
II
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.
III
At twelve years old he talk'd with men,(The Jews all wond'ring stand,)
Yet he obey'd his mother then,
And came at her command.
IV
Children a sweet hosanna sung,And blest their Saviour's name;
They gave him honour with their tongue,
While scribes and priests blaspheme.
V
Samuel the child was wean'd and broughtTo wait upon the Lord;
Young Timothy betimes was taught
To know his holy word.
VI
Then why should I so long delayWhat others learnt so soon?
I would not pass another day
Without this work begun.
SONG 15. Against Lying.
I
O 'tis a lovely thing for youthTo walk betimes in wisdom's way;
To fear a lie, to speak the truth,
That we may trust to all they say.
II
But liars we can never trust,Tho' they should speak the thing that's true;
And he that does one fault at first,
And lies to hide it, makes it two.
III
Have we not known, nor heard, nor read,How God abhors deceit and wrong?
How Ananias was struck dead,
Caught with a lie upon his tongue?
IV
So did his wife Sapphira die,When she came in and grew so bold
As to confirm that wicked lie
That just before her husband told.
V
The Lord delights in them that speakThe words of truth; but ev'ry liar
Must have his portion in the lake
That burns with brimstone and with fire.
VI
Then let me always watch my lips,Lest I be struck to death and hell,
Since God a book of reck'ning keeps
For ev'ry lie that children tell.
SONG 16. Against Quarrelling and Fighting.
I
Let dogs delight to bark and bite,For God hath made them so;
Let bears and lions growl and fight,
For 'tis their nature too.
II
But, children, you should never letSuch angry passions rise;
Your little hands were never made
To tear each other's eyes.
398
III
Let love through all your actions run,And all your words be mild;
Live like the blessed virgin's Son,
That sweet and lovely child.
IV
His soul was gentle as a lamb;And, as his stature grew,
He grew in favour both with man,
And God his Father too.
V
Now, Lord of all, he reigns above,And from his heav'nly throne
He sees what children dwell in love,
And marks them for his own.
SONG 17. Love between Brothers and Sisters.
I
Whatever brawls disturb the street,There should be peace at home;
Where sisters dwell, and brothers meet,
Quarrels should never come.
II
Birds in their little nests agree;And 'tis a shameful sight,
When children of one family
Fall out, and chide, and fight.
III
Hard names at first, and threat'ning words,That are but noisy breath,
May grow to clubs and naked swords,
To murder and to death.
IV
The devil tempts one mother's sonTo rage against another:
So wicked Cain was hurry'd on
'Till he had kill'd his brother.
V
The wise will make their anger cool,At least before 'tis night;
But in the bosom of a fool
It burns till morning-light.
VI
Pardon, O Lord, our childish rageOur little brawls remove;
That, as we grow to riper age,
Our hearts may all be love.
SONG 18. Against scoffing and calling Names.
I
Our tongues were made to bless the Lord,And not speak ill of men;
When others give a railing word,
We must not rail again.
II
Cross words and angry names requireTo be chastis'd at school;
And he's in danger of hell-fire
That calls his brother fool.
III
But lips that dare be so profane,To mock and jeer and scoff,
At holy things or holy men,
The Lord shall cut them off.
IV
When children in their wanton playServ'd old Elisha so;
And bid the prophet go his way,
‘Go up, thou bald-head, go:’
V
God quickly stop'd their wicked breath,And sent two raging bears,
That tore them limb from limb to death,
With blood, and groans, and tears.
VI
Great God, how terrible art thouTo sinners e'er so young;
Grant me thy grace, and teach me how
To tame and rule my tongue.
SONG 19. Against Swearing, and Cursing, and taking God's Name in vain.
I
Angels, that high in glory dwell,Adore thy name, Almighty God!
And devils tremble down in hell,
Beneath the terrors of thy rod.
II
And yet, how wicked children dare,Abuse thy dreadful glorious name;
And when they're angry, how they swear,
And curse their fellows, and blaspheme.
III
How will they stand before thy faceWho treated thee with such disdain,
While thou shalt doom them to the place
Of everlasting fire and pain?
IV
Then never shall one cooling dropTo quench their burning tongues be giv'n;
But I will praise thee here, and hope
Thus to employ my tongue in heav'n.
V
My heart shall be in pain to hearWretches affront the Lord above:
Tis that great God whose pow'r I fear;
That heav'nly Father whom I love.
VI
If my companions grow profane,I'll leave their friendship when I hear
Young sinners take thy name in vain,
And learn to curse and learn to swear.
399
SONG 20. Against Idleness and Mischief.
I
How doth the little busy beeImprove each shining hour,
And gather honey all the day
From every op'ning flow'r!
II
How skilfully she builds her cell!How neat she spreads the wax!
And labours hard to store it well
With the sweet food she makes.
III
In works of labour, or of skill,I would be busy too;
For Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.
IV
In books, or work, or healthful play,Let my first years be past;
That I may give for ev'ry day
Some good account at last.
SONG 21. Against Evil Company.
I
Why should I join with those in playIn whom I've no delight
Who curse and swear, but never pray;
Who call ill names and fight?
II
I hate to hear a wanton song,Their words offend my ears;
I should not dare defile my tongue
With language such as theirs.
III
Away from fools I'll turn mine eyes;Nor with the scoffers go:
I would be walking with the wise,
That wiser I may grow.
IV
From one rude boy that's us'd to mock,They learn the wicked jest:
One sickly sheep infects the flock,
And poisons all the rest.
V
My God, I hate to walk or dwellWith sinful children here:
Then let me not be sent to hell,
Where none but sinners are.
SONG 22. Against Pride in Clothes.
I
Why should our garments made to hideOur parents shame, provoke our pride?
The art of dress did ne'er begin,
Till Eve our mother learnt to sin.
II
When first she put the cov'ring on,Her robe of innocence was gone;
And yet her children vainly boast
In the sad marks of glory lost.
III
How proud we are! how fond to shewOur clothes, and call them rich and new!
When the poor sheep and silk-worm wore
That very clothing long before.
IV
The tulip and the butterflyAppear in gayer coats than I:
Let me be drest fine as I will,
Flies, worms and flowers, exceed me still.
V
Then will I set my heart to findInward adornings of the mind;
Knowledge and virtue, truth and grace:
These are the robes of richest dress.
VI
No more shall worms with me compare,This is the raiment angels wear;
The Son of God, when here below,
Put on this blest apparel too.
VII
It never fades, it ne'er grows old,Nor fears the rain, nor moth, nor mould:
It takes no spot, but still refines,
The more 'tis worn, the more it shines.
VIII
In this on earth would I appear,Then go to heaven, and wear it there:
God will approve it in his sight,
'Tis his own work, and his delight.
SONG 23. Obedience to Parents.
I
Let children that would fear the LordHear what their teachers say;
With rev'rence meet their parents word,
And with delight obey.
II
Have you not heard what dreadful plaguesAre threaten'd by the Lord
To him that breaks his father's law,
Or mocks his mother's word?
400
III
What heavy guilt upon him lies!How cursed is his name!
The ravens shall pick out his eyes,
And eagles eat the same.
IV
But those who worship God, and giveTheir parents honour due;
Here on this earth they long shall live,
And live hereafter too.
SONG 24. The Child's Complaint.
I
Why should I love my sport so well,So constant at my play,
And lose the thoughts of heaven and hell,
And then forget to pray!
II
What do I read my Bible for,But, Lord, to learn thy will?
And shall I daily know thee more,
And less obey thee still?
III
How senseless is my heart, and wild!How vain are all my thoughts!
Pity the weakness of a child,
And pardon all my faults.
IV
Make me thy heav'nly voice to hear,And let me love to pray;
Since God will lend a gracious ear
To what a child can say.
SONG 25. A Morning Song.
I
My God, who makes the sun to knowHis proper hour to rise;
And to give light to all below,
Doth send him round the skies!
II
When from the chambers of the EastHis morning race begins,
He never tires, nor stops to rest,
But round the world he shines;
III
So, like the sun, would I fulfilThe business of the day:
Begin my work betimes, and still
March on my heav'nly way.
IV
Give me, O Lord, thy early grace,Nor let my soul complain
That the young morning of my days
Has all been spent in vain!
SONG 26. An Evening Song.
I
And now another day is gone,I'll sing my Maker's praise;
My comforts ev'ry hour make known
His providence and grace.
II
But how my childhood runs to waste!My sins, how great their sum!
Lord, give me pardon for the past,
And strength for days to come.
III
I lay my body down to sleep,Let angels guard my head;
And through the hours of darkness keep
Their watch around my bed.
IV
With cheerful heart I close my eyes,Since thou wilt not remove;
And in the morning let me rise
Rejoicing in thy love.
SONG 27. For the Lord's Day Morning.
I
This is the day when Christ arose,So early from the dead;
Why should I keep my eye-lids clos'd,
And waste my hours in bed?
II
This is the day when Jesus brokeThe pow'r of death and hell;
And shall I still wear Satan's yoke,
And love my sins so well?
III
To-day with pleasure christians meet,To pray and hear thy word:
And I would go with cheerful feet
To learn thy will, O Lord.
IV
I'll leave my sport to read and pray,And so prepare for heav'n;
O may I love this blessed day
The best of all the sev'n!
SONG 28. For the Lord's Day Evening.
I
Lord, how delightful 'tis to seeA whole assembly worship thee!
At once they sing, at once they pray!
They hear of heav'n and learn the way.
401
II
I have been there, and still would go;'Tis like a little heaven below:
Not all my pleasure and my play
Shall tempt me to forget this day.
III
O write upon my mem'ry, Lord,The texts and doctrines of thy word;
That I may break thy laws no more,
But love thee better than before.
IV
With thoughts of Christ, and things divine,Fill up this foolish heart of mine;
That hoping pardon thro' his blood,
I may lie down and wake with God.
The Ten Commandments, out of the Old Testament, put into short Rhyme for Children.
Exodus xx.
1.
Thou shalt have no more Gods but me.2. Before no idol bow thy knee.
3. Take not the name of God in vain.
4. Nor dare the sabbath day profane.
5. Give both thy parents honour due.
6. Take heed that thou no murder do.
7. Abstain from words and deeds unclean.
8. Nor steal, tho' thou art poor and mean.
9. Nor make a wilful lie, nor love it.
10. What is thy neighbour's dare not covet.
The Sum of the Commandments, out of the New Testament.
Matt. xxii. 37.
With all thy soul love God above.And, as thyself thy neighbour love.
Our Saviour's Golden Rule.
Matt. vii. 12.
Be you to others kind and true,As you'd have others be to you;
And neither do nor say to men
Whate'er you would not take again.
Duty to God and our Neighbour.
Love God with all your soul and strength,With all your heart and mind:
And love your neighbour as yourself;
Be faithful, just, and kind.
Deal with another as you'd have
Another deal with you;
What you're unwilling to receive,
Be sure you never do.
Out of my Book of Hymns I have here added the Hosanna, and Glory to the Father, &c. to be sung at the end of any of these Songs, according to the direction of Parents or Governors.
The Hosanna; or, Salvation ascribed to Christ.
Long Metre.
I
Hosanna to King David's Son,Who reigns on a superior throne;
We bless the Prince of heav'nly birth,
Who brings salvation down to earth.
II
Let ev'ry nation, ev'ry age,In this delightful work engage;
Old men and babes in Sion sing
The growing glories of her King!
Common Metre.
I
Hosanna to the Prince of Grace,Sion, behold thy King!
Proclaim the Son of David's race,
And teach the babes to sing.
II
Hosanna to th'eternal word,Who from the Father came;
Ascribe salvation to the Lord,
With blessings on his name.
Short Metre.
I
Hosanna to the SonOf David and of God,
Who brought the news of pardon down,
And bought it with his blood.
II
To Christ th'anointed King,Be endless blessings giv'n;
Let the whole earth his glory sing,
Who made our peace with heav'n.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son. &c.
Long Metre.
To God the Father, God the Son,And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Be honour, praise, and glory giv'n,
By all on earth, and all in heav'n.
Common Metre.
Now let the Father, and the Son,And Spirit be ador'd,
Where there are works to make him known,
Or saints to love the Lord.
Short Metre.
Give to the Father praise,Give glory to the Son;
And to the Spirit of his grace
Be equal honour done.
| The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | |