Far as thy name is known

Top Text Author Text Info Tune Timeline Media Page Scans Instances

Far as thy name is known

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 179 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

8 Far as thy name is known,
The world declares thy praise;
Thy saints, O Lord, before thy throne,
Their songs of honour raise.

9 With joy thy people stand
On Zion’s chosen hill,
Proclaim the wonders of thy hand,
And counsels of thy will.

10 Let strangers walk around
The city where we dwell,
Compass and view thy holy ground,
And mark the building well.

11 The orders of thy house,
The worship of thy court,
The cheerful songs, the solemn vows,
And make a fair report.

12 How decent and how wise!
How glorious to behold!
Beyond the pomp that charms the eyes,
And rites adorn'd with gold.

13 The God we worship now
Will guide us 'till we die;
Will be our God while here below,
And ours above the sky.

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.XLVIII.II

All representative texts • Compare texts ^ top

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 >

^ top