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Why is my heart so far from thee

Why is my heart so far from thee

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 101 hymnals

Representative Text

Why is my heart so far from thee,
My God, my chief delight?
Why are my thoughts no more by day
With thee, no more by night?

[Why should my foolish passions rove?
Where can such sweetness be
As I have tasted in thy love,
As I have found in thee?]

When my forgetful soul renews
The savor of thy grace,
My heart presumes I cannot lose
The relish all my days.

But ere one fleeting hour is passed,
The flatt'ring world employs
Some sensual bait to seize my taste,
And to pollute my joys.

[Trifles of nature or of art,
With fair, deceitful charms,
Intrude into my thoughtless heart,
And thrust me from thy arms.]

Then I repent, and vex my soul
That I should leave thee so:
Where will those wild affections roll
That let a Savior go?

[Sin's promised joys are turned to pain,
And I am drowned in grief;
But my dear Lord returns again,
He flies to my relief.

Seizing my soul with sweet surprise,
He draws with loving bands
Divine compassion in his eyes,
And pardon in his hands.]

[Wretch that I am, to wander thus
In chase of false delight!
Let me be fastened to thy cross,
Rather than lose thy sight.]

[Make haste, my days, to reach the goal,
And bring my heart to rest
On the dear center of my soul,
My God, my Savior's breast.]



Source: Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #II.20

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: Why is my heart so far from thee
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 100 of 101)
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A Choice Selection of Evangelical Hymns, from various authors #323

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A Choice Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of Christians #324

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A Collection of Hymns, for the use of the United Brethren in Christ #553

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A New Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs #413

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A Selection of Psalms and Hymns #109

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A Selection of Psalms and Hymns #CIX

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A Selection of Psalms and Hymns #109

Chapel Hymns #d665

Christian Psalms and Hymns to Aid in Public and Private Devotion #d1075

Church Melodies, a Collection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs #d1181

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Church Melodies #305

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Church Psalmist #380

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Church Psalmist #380

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Church Psalmist #380

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Church Psalmody #H412

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Church Psalmody #412

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Dyer's Psalmist #326

Family Hymns #d287

Gospel Hymns #d639

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Hymn and Tune Book for Use in Old School or Primitive Baptist Churches #417

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Hymn-Book of the Evangelical Association #586

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Hymns and Songs of Praise for Public and Social Worship #688

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Hymns and Spiritual Songs, in Three Books #II.XX

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Hymns for Christian Melody #407

Hymns for Conference Meetings and Private Devotions #d145

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Hymns for Social Worship #186

Hymns Selected #d242

Hymns Selected from Dr. Watts, Dr. Doddridge and Various Other Writers #d242

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Hymns selected from various authors #355

Hymns, Psalms, and Spiritual Songs, including Some Never Before in Print #d355

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Manual of Christian Psalmody #412

Melodies of the Church #d1134

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New Union Hymns #249

Oriola #d299

Oriola #d304

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Parish Hymns #315

Parish Psalmody #d968

Parish Psalmody #d985

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Plymouth Collection #a433

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Plymouth Collection of Hymns and Tunes; for the use of Christian Congregations #433

Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Social, Private and Public Worship #d941

Text

Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #II.20

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Psalms and Hymns, Adapted to Public Worship #327

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Psalms and Hymns, for Christian Use and Worship #H414

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Psalms and Hymns #442

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Sacred Songs for Family and Social Worship #185

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Sacred Songs for Family and Social Worship #215

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Seamen's Hymns #380

Seamen's Hymns and Devotional Assistant #d707

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Social Psalmist #380

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Songs for the Sanctuary, or Hymns and Tunes for Christian Worship #584

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Songs for the Sanctuary; or, Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship (Words only) #584

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Songs for the Sanctuary #584

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Songs for the Sanctuary #584

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Songs for the Sanctuary #584

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Songs of the Church #357

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Temple Melodies #120

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The Baptist Harp #12

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The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book #433

The Baptist Hymn Book, in Two Parts #d633

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The Baptist Hymn Book #1015

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The Baptist Psalmody #719

The Christian Hymn Book #d709

The Christian Hymn Book. 7th ed. #d710

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The Christian Psalmist; or, Watts' Psalms and Hymns #304

The Church Hymn Book #d1176

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The Clifton Chapel Collection of "Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs" #448

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The Columbian Repository #524

The Evangelical Hymn and Tune Book #d833

The Imperial Harmony #d327

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The Lyrica #304

The Prayer Meeting Hymn Book #d300

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The Psalmist #S59

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The Psalmody #1193

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The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #375

The Psalms of David ... New ed. #d266

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The Psalms of David #II.XX

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The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. #B20

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The Reformed Methodist Pocket Hymnal #II.139

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The Sabbath Hymn and Tune Book #281b

The Sabbath Hymn Book. Baptist ed. #d1240

The Service of Song for Baptist Churches #d1017

The South Western Psalmist #d449

The Southern Psalmist #d963

The Southern Psalmist. New ed. #d1013

The Vestry Harp #d210

The Victory #d450

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The Virginia Selection of Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs #367

Union Hymns #d454

Pages

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