Scripture Verse

Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in His presence. 1 Corinthians 1:26–29

Introduction

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Isaac Watts (1674–1748)

Words: Is­aac Watts, Hymns and Sac­red Songs, Book 1, 1707, num­ber 96. Elect­ion ex­cludes boast­ing.

Music: Downs Lo­well Ma­son, 1832 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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Lowell Mason (1792–1872)

Lyrics

But few among the car­nal wise,
But few of no­ble race,
Obtain the fa­vor of Thine eyes,
Almighty King of grace.

He takes the men of mean­est name
For sons and heirs of God;
And thus He pours abun­dant shame
On hon­or­able blood.

He calls the fool, and makes him know
The mys­te­ries of His grace,
To bring as­pir­ing wis­dom low,
And all its pride abase.

Nature has all its glo­ries lost
When brought be­fore His throne;
No flesh shall in His pre­sence boast,
But in the Lord alone.