How shall I praise th' eternal God

Representative Text

How shall I praise th' eternal God,
That infinite Unknown?
Who can ascend his high abode,
Or venture near his throne?

[The great Invisible! he dwells
Concealed in dazzling light;
But his all-searching eye reveals
The secrets of the night.

Those watchful eyes that never sleep
Survey the world around
His wisdom is a boundless deep
Where all our thoughts are drowned.]

[Speak we of strength? his arm is strong
To save or to destroy;
Infinite years his life prolong,
And endless is his joy.]

[He knows no shadow of a change
Nor alters his decrees;
Firm as a rock his truth remains
To guard his promises.]

[Sinners before his presence die;
How holy is his name!
His anger and his jealousy
Burn like devouring flame.]

Justice upon a dreadful throne
Maintains the rights of God;
While Mercy sends her pardons down,
Bought with a Savior's blood.

Now to my soul, immortal King!
Speak some forgiving word;
Then 'twill be double joy to sing
The glories of my Lord.



Source: Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #II.166

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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 >

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Text Information

First Line: How shall I praise th' eternal God
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
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Tune

DUNDEE (Ravenscroft)

DUNDEE first appeared in the 1615 edition of the Scottish Psalter published in Edinburgh by Andro Hart. Called a "French" tune (thus it also goes by the name of FRENCH), DUNDEE was one of that hymnal's twelve "common tunes"; that is, it was not associated with a specific psalm. In the Psalter Hymnal…

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Timeline

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Instances

Instances (1 - 29 of 29)Text InfoTune InfoTextScoreFlexScoreAudioPage Scan
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns: suited to the various occasions of public worship and private devotion #2Page Scan
A Collection of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs Suited to the Various Occasions of Public Worship. 2nd ed. #d151
A Collection of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs: suited to the various occasions of public worship and private devotion of the church of Christ: with an appendix of German hymns #2Page Scan
A Collection of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs: suited to the various occasions of public worship and private devotion, of the church of Christ (6th ed.) #2Page Scan
American Psalmody: a collection of sacred music, comprising a great variety of psalm, and hymn tunes, set-pieces, anthems and chants, arranged with a figured bass for the organ...(3rd ed.) #62aPage Scan
Book of Hymns and Tunes, comprising the psalms and hymns for the worship of God, approved by the general assembly of 1866, arranged with appropriate tunes... by authority of the assembly of 1873 #122aPage Scan
Cole's Pocket Edition of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, Containing Most of the Tunes Used in Different Churches #d57
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, in Three Books: I. collected fromt he scriptures, II. composed on divine subjects, III. prepared for the Lord's Supper #II.CLXVIPage Scan
Hymns for Christian Devotion: especially adapted to the Universalist denomination #117Page Scan
Hymns for Christian Devotion: especially adapted to the Universalist denomination. (New ed.) #117Page Scan
Hymns for Social Worship and Private Devotion #d61
Hymns of the Ages for Public and Social Worship #97Page Scan
Hymns of the Ages for Public and Social Worship, Approved and Recommended ... by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. 2nd ed. #d207
Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Social, Private and Public Worship in the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. #d344
Psalms and Hymns for Public worship, Containing All the Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts ... #d351
Psalms and Hymns for the Worship of God #d327
Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #II.166Text
Sacred Poetry and Music Reconciled; or a Collection of Hymns, Original and Compiled #79Page Scan
The Baptist Hymn Book: comprising a large and choice collection of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, adapted to the faith and order of the Old School, or Primitive Baptists (2nd stereotype Ed.) #48Page Scan
The Baptist Psalmody: a selection of hymns for the worship of God #13Page Scan
The Christian Psalter #d238
The Columbian Repository: or, Sacred Harmony: selected from European and American authors with many new tunes not before published #670Page Scan
The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #38
The Psalms of David: imitated in the language of the New Testament, and applied to the Christian state and worship (27th ed.) #II.CLXVITextPage Scan
The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D.: to which are added select hymns, from other authors; and directions for musical expression (New ed.) #B166Page Scan
The Service of Song for Baptist Churches #d353
The Springfield Collection of Hymns for Sacred Worship #129Page Scan
The Vestry Hymn and Tune Book #d174
The Virginia Selection of Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs: from the most approved authors; adapted to the various occasions of public and social meetings (New Ed. Enl. and Imp.) #15Page Scan
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