O why despond in life's dark vale

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O why despond in life's dark vale

Author: Isaac Watts
Tune: BLAKE
Published in 6 hymnals

Representative Text

1 Oh, why despond in life's dark vale?
Why sink to fears a prey?
Th' almighty power can never fail,
His love can ne'er decay.

2 Behold, the birds that wing the air,
Nor sow nor reap the grain:
Yet God, with all a father's care,
Relieves when they complain.

3 Behold the lilies of the field:
They toil nor labor know;
Yet royal robes to theirs must yield,
In beauty's richest glow.

4 That God who hears the raven's cry,
Who decks the lily's form,
Will surely all your wants supply,
And shield you in the storm.

5 Seek first his kingdom's grace to share,
Its righteousness pursue:
And all that needs your earthly care
He will bestow on you.

Source: The Voice of Praise: a collection of hymns for the use of the Methodist Church #129

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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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