1 How short and hasty is our life!
How vast our souls' affairs!
Yet senseless mortals vainly strive
To lavish out their years,
To lavish out their years.
2 Our days run thoughtlessly along,
Without a moment's stay;
Just like a story, or a song
We pass our lives away,
We pass our lives away.
3 God from on high invites us home,
But we march heedless on,
And ever hastening to the tomb,
Stoop downwards as we run,
Stoop downwards as we run.
4 How we deserve the deepest hell,
That slight the joys above!
What chains of vengeance should we feel,
That break such cords of love!
That break such cords of love!
5 Draw us, O Saviour, with Thy grace,
And lift our thoughts on high,
That we may end this mortal race,
And see salvation nigh,
And see salvation nigh.
Amen.
Source: Book of Worship with Hymns and Tunes #372
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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