Election Sovereign and Free

Representative Text

1 Behold the potter and the clay;
He forms his vessels as he please;
Such is our God, and such are we,
The subjects of his high decrees.

2 [Does not the workman’s power extend
O’er all the mass, which part to choose,
And mould it for a nobler end,
And which to leave for viler use?]

3 May not the sovereign Lord on high
Dispense his favours as he will?
Choose some to life, while others die,
And yet be just and gracious still?

4 [What if, to make his terror known,
He let his patience long endure,
Suffering vile rebels to go on,
And seal their own destruction sure?]

5 [What if he mean to show his grace,
And his electing love employs,
To mark out some of mortal race,
And form them fit for heavenly joys?]

6 Shall man reply against his Lord,
And call his Maker’s ways unjust,
The thunder of whose dreadful word
Can crush a thousand worlds to dust?

7 But O, my soul, if truths so bright
Should dazzle and confound thy sight,
Yet still his written will obey,
And wait the great decisive day.

8 Then shall he make his justice known,
And the whole world before his throne,
With joy or terror shall confess
The glory of his righteousness.


Source: A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. In four parts (10th ed.) (Gadsby's Hymns) #75

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: Behold the potter and the clay
Title: Election Sovereign and Free
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.8.8.8
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

ST. CRISPIN

Composed by George J. Elvey (PHH 48) in 1862 for 'Just as I Am, without One Plea" (263), ST. CRISPIN was first published in the 1863 edition of Edward Thorne's Selection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes. The tune title honors a third-century Roman martyr, Crispin, who, along with Crispinian, preached in Gaul…

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Timeline

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The Cyber Hymnal #9503
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The Cyber Hymnal #9503

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