1 Earth has engross'd my love too long!
'Tis time I lift mine eyes
Upward, dear Father, to thy throne,
And to my native skies.
2 There the blest man, my Saviour, sits;
The God! how bright he shines!
And scatters infinite delights
On all the happy minds.
3 Seraphs, with elevated strains,
Circle the throne around;
And move and charm the starry plains
With an immortal sound.
4 Jesus, the Lord, their harps employs;--
Jesus, my love, they sing!
Jesus, the life of both our joys,
Sounds sweet from every string.
5 Now let me mount and join their song,
And be an angel too;
My heart, my hand, my ear, my tongue,--
Here's joyful work for you.
6 I would begin the music here,
And so my soul should rise:
O for some heavenly notes to bear
My passions to the skies!
7 There ye that love my Saviour, sit,
There I would fain have place,
Among your thrones, or at your feet,
So I might see his face.
Source: Hymns, Selected and Original: for public and private worship (1st ed.) #739
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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