This is the theme of an Isaac Watts hymn that I hadn't noticed before; despite that fact that it is in our church hymnbook. Anyway, it was mentioned in the service yesterday morning. The version below is actually the one that I found in CH Spurgeon's "Our own hymnbook". I don't know how close it is to Watts' original.
This is a real hymn of encouragement.
The hymn is loosely based around Psalm 56.
God counts the sorrows of His saints,
Their groans affect His ears;
Thou hast a book for my complaints,
A bottle for my tears.
When to Thy throne I raise my cry,
The wicked fear and flee;
So swift is prayer to reach the sky;
So near is God to me.
In Thee, most holy, just and true,
I have reposed my trust;
Nor will I fear what man can do,
The offspring of the dust.
Thy solemn vows are on me, Lord;
Thou shalt receive my praise;
I'll sing, "How faithful is Thy word;
How righteous all Thy ways!"
Thou hast secured my soul from death;
Oh set Thy prisoner free!
That heart and hand, and life and breath,
May be employed for Thee.
I found this version in cyberhymnal.
ReplyDeleteO Thou whose justice reigns on high,
And makes th' oppressor cease,
Behold how envious sinners try
To vex and break my peace.
2. The sons of violence and lies
Join to devour me, Lord;
But as my hourly dangers rise,
My refuge is thy word.
3. In God most holy, just, and true,
I have reposed my trust;
Nor will I fear what flesh can do,
The offspring of the dust.
4. They wrest my words to mischief still,
Charge me with unknown faults;
Mischief doth all their counsels fill,
And malice all their thoughts.
5. Shall they escape without thy frown?
Must their devices stand?
O cast the haughty sinner down,
And let him know thy hand.
6. God counts the sorrows of his saints,
Their groans affect his ears;
Thou hast a book for my complaints,
A bottle for my tears.
7. When to thy throne I raise my cry,
The wicked fear and flee;
So swift is prayer to reach the sky,
So near is God to me.
8. In thee, most holy, just, and true,
I have reposed my trust;
Nor will I fear what man can do,
The offspring of the dust.
9. Thy solemn vows are on me, Lord,
Thou shalt receive my praise;
I'll sing, How faithful is thy word,
How righteous all thy ways!
10. Thou hast secured my soul from death,
O set thy pris'ner free!
That heart and hand, and life and breath,
May be employ'd for thee.
I have recently had my attention drawn to this hymn. I often find it more helpful and encouraging to consider an unfamiliar hymn than one I know very well. It is by Charles Wesley.
ReplyDeleteDivine Providence. Deut. 33. 27; Ps. 73. 24
1 Thrice comfortable hope
That calms my stormy breast;
My Father’s hand prepares the cup,
And what he wills is best.
2 My fearful heart he reads;
Secures my soul from harms;
While underneath his mercy spreads
Its everlasting arms.
3 His skill infallible,
His providential grace,
His power and truth, that never fail,
Shall order all my ways.
4 [The fictious power of chance
And fortune I defy;
My life’s minutest circumstance
Is subject to his eye.]
5 O might I doubt no more,
But in his pleasure rest;
Whose wisdom, love, and truth, and power,
Engage to make me blest!
Thank you, Jo. It looks as though Spurgeon chopped the first few verses!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about unfamiliar hymns. Having said that, I do vaguely remember singing "Thrice comfortable hope" as a child. The words didn't make much impression at the time and it is good to look at them again.