1 This spacious earth is all the Lord’s,
And men and worms, and beasts and birds:
He rais'd the building on the seas,
And gave it for their dwelling-place.
2 But there’s a brighter world on high,
Thy palace, Lord, above the sky:
Who shall ascend that blest abode,
And dwell so near his Maker, God?
3 He that abhors and fears to sin,
Whose heart is pure, whose hands are clean,
Him shall the Lord, the Saviour bless,
And clothe his soul with righteousness.
4 These are the men, the pious race,
That seek the God of Jacob’s face:
These shall enjoy the blissful sight
And dwell in everlasting light.
5 Rejoice ye shining worlds on high,
Behold the King of glory nigh;!
Who can this King of glory be?
The mighty Lord, the Saviour’s he.
6 Ye heav’nly gates, your leaves display,
To make the Lord, the Saviour's way:
Laden with spoils from earth and hell,
The Conqu'ror comes with God to dwell.
7 Rais'd from the dead in awful state,
He opens heav’n’s eternal gate,
To give his saints a blest abode,
Near their Redeemer and their God.
Source: Church Hymn Book: consisting of newly composed hymns with the addition of hymns and psalms, from other authors, carefully adapted for the use of public worship, and many other occasions (1st ed.) #P.XXIV
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 >
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