Instructions from Scripture

Representative Text

1 How shall the young secure their hearts
and guard their lives from sin?
Your Word, O LORD, the truth imparts
to keep the conscience clean.

2 Your Word is like a heav'nly light
that guides us all the day,
and through the dangers of the night
a lamp to lead our way.

3 The starry heav'ns your rule obey,
the earth maintains its place;
and these your servants night and day
your skill and pow'r express.

4 But still your law and gospel, LORD,
have lessons more divine;
not earth stands firmer than your Word
nor stars so nobly shine.

5 Your Word is everlasting truth;
how pure is ev'ry page!
That holy book will guide our youth
and well support our age.

Source: Christian Worship: Psalter #119H

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: How shall the young secure their hearts
Title: Instructions from Scripture
Author: Isaac Watts (1719)
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 16 of 16)

Ambassador Hymnal #381

TextPage Scan

Christian Worship (1993) #509

TextPage Scan

Christian Worship #119H

Church Gospel Songs and Hymns #366

TextPage Scan

Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #176

Gospel Songs of Praise #24

Great Songs of the Church (Revised) #302

Text

In Melody and Songs #75

Text

Lutheran Worship #474

Praise for the Lord (Expanded Edition) #253

Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs #32

Redeeming Love #20

Sacred Songs of the Church #166

Songs of Faith and Praise #432

TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #2612

The Sacred Harp #517

Include 460 pre-1979 instances
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