My righteous Judge, my gracious God,
hear when I spread my hands abroad,
and cry for succour from your throne!
Lord, make your truth and mercy known.
Break off my fetters, Lord, and show
which is the path my feet should go;
if snares and foes beset the road,
I'll flee to hide me near my God.
Teach me to do your holy will,
and lead me to your heavenly hill;
the blessed Spirit of your love
conducts me to your courts above.
Then shall my soul no more complain,
then shall the tempter rage in vain;
and flesh, that was my foe before,
shall lose the power to vex me more.
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 >