Scripture Verse

Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Romans 4:7

Introduction

portrait
Isaac Watts (1674–1748)

Words: Is­aac Watts, Hymns and Spi­ri­tu­al Songs, Book 2, 1707, num­ber 57, alt. The plea­sures of a good con­science.

Music: Wim­borne John Whi­ta­ker, 1820 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Whi­ta­ker (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Lord, how secure and blest are they
Who feel the joys of pardoned sin!
Should storms of wrath shake earth and sea,
Their minds have Heav’n and peace within.

The day glides swiftly o’er their heads,
Made up of innocence and love;
And soft and silent as the shades
Their nightly minutes gently move.

Quick as their thoughts their joys come on,
But fly not half so swift away;
Their souls are ever bright as noon,
And calm as summer evenings be.

How oft they look to heav’nly hills,
Where groves of living pleasure grow!
And longing hopes and cheerful smiles
Sit undisturbed upon their brow.

They scorn to seek our golden toys,
But spend the day and share the night
In numbering o’er the richer joys
That Heav’n prepares for their delight.

While wretched we, like worms and moles,
Lie groveling in the dust below,
Almighty grace, renew our souls,
And we’ll aspire to glo­ry, too.