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The Welcome Messenger

Lord, when we see a saint of thine

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 19 hymnals

Representative Text

1 Lord, when we see a saint of thine
Lie gasping out his breath,
With longing eyes, and looks divine,
Smiling and pleas'd in death;

2 How we could e'en contend to lay
Our limbs upon that bed!
We ask thine envoy to convey
Our spirits in his stead.

3 Out souls are rising on the wing,
To venture in his place;
For when grim death has lost his sting,
He has an angel's face.

4 Jesus, then purge my crimes away,
'Till guilt creates my fears;
'Tis guilt gives death his fierce array,
And all the arms he bears.

5 Oh! if my threatning sins were gone,
And death had lost his sting,
I could invite the angels on,
And chide his lazy wing.

6 Away these interpoling days,
And let the loves meet;
The angle has a cold embrace,
But kind, and soft, and sweet.

7 I'd leap at once my seventy years,
I'd rush into his arms,
And lose my breath, and all my cares,
Amid those heavenly charms,

8 Joyful I'd lay this body down,
And leave this lifeless clay,
Without a sigh, without a groan,
And stretch and soar away.

Source: A Selection of Hymns: from the best authors, intended to be an appendix to Dr. Watt's psalms and hymns. (1st Am. ed.) #DLIII

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 >

Text Information

First Line: Lord, when we see a saint of thine
Title: The Welcome Messenger
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 19 of 19)

A New and Beautiful Collection of Select Hymns and Spiritual Songs #d200

A Selection of Hymns ... Supplement to the Methodist Pocket Hymn Book. 1st ed #d167

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A Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs #H.CCCCVI

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A Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs #H.CCCCVI

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A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors. #553

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A Selection of Hymns #DLIII

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Baptist Hymn Book #aB191

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Hymns for Christian Melody #862

Supplement to Watts #d261

The Baptist Hymn Book, in Two Parts #d353

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The Baptist Hymn Book #B191

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The Lexington Collection #118

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The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #1271

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The Virginia Selection of Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs #474

Virginia Selection of Psalms #d291

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