Original Sin

Our natural and our federal head

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 1 hymnal

Representative Text

1 Our nat'ral and our fed'ral head
In paradise was plac'd,
In his Creator's image made
With strength and wisdom grac'd.

2 Bless'd with the joys of innocence,
Firm and secure he stood,
Till he debas'd his soul to sense,
And ate th' unlawful food.

3 Now back with humble shame we look
On our original;
How is our nature dash'd and broke
In our fist father's fall!

4 To all that's good, averse, and blind,
But prone to all that's ill;
What dreadful darkness veils our mind!
How obstinate our will!

5 Conceiv'd in sin (O wretched state!)
Before we draw our breath,
The first young pulse begins to beat
Depravity and death.

6 Wild and unwholesome as the root,
Will all the branches be;
How can we hope for living fruit
From such a deadly tree?

7 What mortal pow'r from things unclean
Can pure productions bring?
Who can command a vital stream
From an infected spring?

8 Yet, mighty God, thy wond'rous love
Can make our nature clean,
While Christ and grace prevail above,
The tempter, death and sin.

9 The second Adam can restore
The ruins of the first;
Hosanna to that sov'reign pow'r
That new-creates our dust!

Source: The Psalms of David: with hymns and spiritual songs: also, the catechism, confession of faith, and liturgy of the Reformed Church in the Netherlands #H3

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: Our natural and our federal head
Title: Original Sin
Author: Isaac Watts
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

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The Psalms of David #H3

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