Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David ‎#9a

9a. The Difference between the Righteous and the Wicked

1 Happy the man, whose cautious feet
Shun the broad way where sinners go,
Who hates the place where Atheists meet,
And fears to talk as scoffers do.

2 He loves t' employ his morning light
Among the statutes of the Lord;
And spends the wakeful hours of night,
With pleasure pond'ring o'er the word.

3 He, like a plant by gentle streams,
Shall flourish in immortal green;
And Heaven will shine with kindest beams,
On every work his hands begin.

4 But sinners find their counsels cross'd;
As chaff before the tempest flies;
So shall their hopes be blown and lost,
When the last trumpet shakes the skies.

5 In vain the rebel seeks to stand
In judgment with the pious race;
The dreadful Judge with stern command
Divides him to a different place.

6 "Strait is the way my saints have trod,
"I bless'd the path, and drew it plain;
"But you would chuse the crooked road;
"And down it leads to endless pain.

Text Information

• First Line: Happy the man, whose cautious feet
• Title: The Difference between the Righteous and the Wicked
• Meter: Long Metre
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1787
• Scripture:
  Psalm 1
• Topic: Blessings: of a person; End of Righteous and Wicked; Judgement Day; Punishment of Sinners; Saints: happy and Sinners cursed

Tune Information

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