Doctor Watts's imitation of the Psalms of David, to which is added a collection of hymns; the whole applied to the state of the Christian Church in general (3rd ed.) ‎#247

247. The wonderful Formation of Man

1 'Twas from thy hand, my God, I came,
A work of such a curious frame;
In me thy fearful wonders shine,
And each proclaims thy skill divine.

2 Thine eyes could all my limbs survey,
Which yet in dark confusion lay:
Thou saw'st the daily growth they took,
Form'd by the model of thy book.

3 By thee my growing parts were nam'd,
And what thy sovereign counsels fram'd,
The breathing lungs, the beating heart,
Was copy'd with unerring art.

4 At last to shew my Maker's name,
God stamp'd his image on my frame,
And in some unknown moment join'd
The finish'd members of the mind.

5 There the young seeds of thought began
And all the passions of the man,
Great God, our infant nature pays
Immortal tribute to thy praise.

Pause.

6 Lord, since in my advancing age
I've acted on life's busy stage,
Thy thoughts of love to me surmount
The power of numbers to recount.

7 I could survey the ocean o'er,
And count each sand that makes the shore,
Before my swiftest thoughts could trace
The numerous wonders of thy grace.

8 These on my heart are still imprest,
With these I give my eyes to rest;
And at my waking hour I find
God and his love possess my mind.

Text Information

• First Line: 'Twas from thy hand, my God, I came
• Title: The wonderful Formation of Man
• Meter: Long Metre
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1786
• Scripture:
  Psalm 139
• Topic: All-seeing God; Appeal to God: concerning our sincerity; Daily Devotion; Evening Psalm; Evidence: of Sincerity; Examination; Grace: its Evidence, or Self-Examination; Heart known to God; Humility and Submission; Infants; Man: wonderful formation; Mercies: innumerable; Midnight thoughts; Nature of Man; Obedience: sincere; Profession: of Sincerity and Repentance; Self Examination, or Evidences of Grace; Sincerity
• Notes: Second Part

Tune Information

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