1 They, that have made their refuge God,
Shall find a most secure abode;
Shall walk all day beneath his shade,
And there at night shall rest their head.
2 If burning beams of noon conspire
To dart a pestilential fire:
God is their life; his wings are spread,
To shield them 'midst ten thousand dead.
3 If vapors with malignant breath
Rise thick, and scatter midnight death:
Still they are safe; the poison'd air
Again grows pure, if God be there.
4 But if the fire, or plague, or sword,
Receive commission from the Lord,
To strike his saints among the rest:
Their very pains and deaths are blest.
5 The sword, the pestilence, or fire,
Shall but fulfil their best desire;
From sins and sorrows set them free,
And bring thy children, Lord! to thee.
Source: A Collection of Hymns and Prayers, for Public and Private Worship #32
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 >
My Starred Hymns
My FlexScores
My Hymnals
My Purchased Files
