Jehovah the Strength of His People

Whence do our mournful thoughts arise

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 75 hymnals

Representative Text

1 Whence do our mournful thoughts arise?
And where’s our courage fled?
Has restless sin and raging hell
Struck all our comforts dead?

2 Have we forgot the almighty Name
That formed the earth and sea?
And can an all-creating arm
Grow weary, or decay?

3 Treasures of everlasting might
In our Jehovah dwell;
He gives the conquest to the weak,
And treads their foes to hell.

4 Mere mortal power shall fade and die,
And youthful vigour cease;
But we that wait upon the Lord
Shall feel our strength increase.

5 The saints shall mount on eagles’ wings,
And taste the promised bliss,
Till their unwearied feet arrive
Where perfect pleasure is.

Source: A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. In four parts (10th ed.) (Gadsby's Hymns) #327

Author: Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Whence do our mournful thoughts arise
Title: Jehovah the Strength of His People
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Notes

Whence do our mournful thoughts arise? I. Watts. [Consolation.] 1st published in his Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1707, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines, and based upon Is. xl. 27-30 (ed. 1709, Bk. i. No. 32). Another form of this hymn was given in the 1745 Draft of the Scottish Translations and Paraphrases, No. xvi., in 7 stanzas of 4 lines as "Why pour'st thou forth thine anxious plaint." In the Drafts of 1751 and 1781 further alterations were introduced until it assumed the authorized form as in the Translations and Paraphrases, of 1781. In the markings by the eldest daughter of W. Cameron the alterations of 1781 are said to be by him. The designation of the hymn is I. Watts, 1707; Translations & Paraphrases, 1745; W. Cameron, 1781. In the American Prayer Book Collection, 1826, and several later hymnals it begins "Why mournest thou, my anxious soul?" Sometimes stanzas iv.-viii. are found as a separate hymn, beginning, "Supreme in wisdom as in power," as in W. F. Stevenson's Hymns for the Church and Home, 1873. In one or two American Unitarian hymnals a cento therefrom is also given as "Mere human power shall fast decay." In Jane E. Leeson's Paraphrases and Hymns, 1853, the 1781 text is rewritten in three parts as:—(1) "Thus saith the Holy One, to Whom"; (2) "O Jacob and O Israel”; (3) "God giveth power unto the faint."

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 75 of 75)
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A Choice Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of Christians #161

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A New Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs #768

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A New Version of the Psalms of David #HVIII

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A Pastor's Selection of Hymns and Tunes #180

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A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. In four parts (10th ed.) (Gadsby's Hymns) #327

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Appendix, Containing a Number of Hymns Taken Chiefly from Dr. Watts's Scriptural Collection #VIII

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Appendix, Containing a Number of Hymns, Taken Chiefly from Dr. Watts's Scripture Collection #VIII

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Church Psalmist #354

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Church Psalmist #354

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Manual of Christian Psalmody #319

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Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #I.32

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Psalms and Hymns, Adapted to Public Worship #306

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Songs for the Sanctuary, or Hymns and Tunes for Christian Worship #649

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Songs for the Sanctuary; or, Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship (Words only) #649

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Songs for the Sanctuary #649

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Songs for the Sanctuary #649

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Songs of the Church #404

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The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book #808

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The Choice #H182

The Choice #H182

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The Christian Psalmist; or, Watts' Psalms and Hymns #186

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The Christian's Duty #CCCXXIX

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The Psalmist #623

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The Psalmist #623

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The Psalmody #610

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The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #202

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The Psalms of David #I.XXXII

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The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. #A32

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The Reformed Methodist Pocket Hymnal #II.63

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The Sabbath Hymn and Tune Book #77c

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The Service of Song for Baptist Churches #d1002

The Soldier's Hymn Book. 2nd ed. #d257

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The Southern Psalmist. New ed. #d1000

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