Scripture Verse

Now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Introduction

portrait
Isaac Watts
1674–1748

Words: Is­aac Watts, Hymns and Sac­red Songs 1707–09, Book 2, num­ber 38.

Music: Wilt­shire (Smart) George T. Smart, 1795 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

portrait
George T. Smart
1776–1867

Lyrics

Happy the heart where graces reign,
Where love inspires the breast;
Love is the brightest of the train,
And strengthens all the rest.

Knowledge, alas! ’tis all in vain,
And all in vain our fear;
Our stubborn sins will fight and reign,
If love be absent there.

’Tis love that makes our cheerful feet
In swift obedience move;
The devils know and tremble, too,
But Satan cannot love.

This is the grace that lives and sings
When faith and hope shall cease;
’Tis this shall strike our joyful strings
In the sweet realms of bliss.

Before we quite forsake our clay,
Or leave this dark abode,
The wings of love bear us away
To see our smiling God.