Excellency and Variety of Scripture

Representative Text

Lord, I have made your word my choice,
my lasting heritage;
there shall my noblest powers rejoice,
my truest thoughts engage.

I'll read the histories of your love,
and keep your laws in sight;
your words and promises will prove
an ever fresh delight.

In your broad land of wealth unknown,
where springs of life arise;
the seeds of heavenly bliss are sown,
and hidden glory lies.



Source: In Melody and Songs: hymns from the Psalm versions of Isaac Watts #79

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: Lord, I have made Thy word my choice
Title: Excellency and Variety of Scripture
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

EVAN (Havergal)

This tune [EVAN], "the popularity of which in Scotland, America, and the Colonies is quite unprecedented" (Tonic Sol Fa Reporter, May 15, 1870), consists of the 1st, 2nd, 7th, and 8th strains of "O Thou dread Power" a sacred song by the Rev. W.H. Havergal, the melody being unaltered. EVAN II is the…

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Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #3767
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
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Instances

Instances (1 - 11 of 11)
Text

Ancient and Modern #382

Anglican Hymns Old and New (Rev. and Enl.) #459

TextPage Scan

Common Praise #504

Hymnal #317

Hymns Ancient and Modern, New Standard Edition #490

Hymns and Psalms #475

Text

In Melody and Songs #79

TextPage Scan

Rejoice in the Lord #130

TextPage Scan

Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal #273

Page Scan

The Covenant Hymnal #530

TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #3767

Include 216 pre-1979 instances
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