1 Lord, we have heard Thy works of old,
Thy works of power and grace,
When to our ears our fathers told
The wonders of their days.
2 How You did build Thy churches here,
And make Thy Gospel known;
Amongst them did Your arm appear,
Thy light and glory shone.
3 In God they boasted all the day,
And in a cheerful throng
Did thousands meet to praise and pray,
And grace was all their song.
4 But now our souls are seized with shame,
Confusion fills our face,
To hear the enemy, blaspheme,
And fools reproach Thy grace.
5 Yet we have not forgot our God,
Nor falsely dealt with heav’n,
Nor have our steps declined the road
Of duty You have giv’n.
6 We are exposed all day to die
As martyrs for Thy cause,
As sheep for slaughter bound we lie
By sharp and bloody laws.
7 Awake, arise, Almighty LORD,
Why sleeps Thy common grace?
Why should we look like men abhorred
Or banished from Thy face?
8 Will You forever cast us off,
And still neglect our cries?
Forever hide Thine heav’nly love
From our afflicted eyes?
9 Down to the dust our soul is bowed,
And dies upon the ground;
Rise for our help, rebuke the proud,
And all their powers confound.
10 Redeem us from perpetual shame,
Our Savior and our God;
We plead the honors of Thy Name,
The merits of Thy blood.
Source: Psalms of Grace #44c
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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