The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts ‎#177

177. What vain desires and passions vain

What vain desires and passions vain
Attend this mortal clay!
Oft have they pierced my soul with pain,
And drawn my heart astray.

How have I wandered from my God!
And, following sin and shame,
In this vile world of flesh and blood
Defiled my nobler frame!

For ever blessed be thy grace
That formed my soul anew,
And made it of a heav'n-born race,
Thy glory to pursue.

My spirit holds perpetual war,
And wrestles and complains;
But views the happy moment near
That shall dissolve its chains.

Cheerful in death I close my eyes
To part with every lust;
And charge my flesh, whene'er it rise,
To leave them in the dust.

My purer spirit shall not fear
To put this body on;
Its tempting powers no more are there,
Its lusts and passions gone!

Text Information

• First Line: What vain desires and passions vain
• Author: Isaac Watts
• Meter: C. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1835
• Scripture:
  Romans 8:1
  ;
  Psalm 102:13-21
• Topic: Hearing: of prayer and salvation; Praise: for hearing prayer; Afflictions: very great; Church: restored by prayer; God: eternal, and man mortal; Mortality: and God's eternity; Afflicted: their prayer; Christ: his Godhead; Christ: the eternal Creator; Complaint: general; Man: mortal, and Christ eternal; Prayer: heard and Zion restored; Saints: die, but Christ lives

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