Scripture Verse

The sting of death is sin. 1 Corinthians 15:56

Introduction

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Isaac Watts
1674–1748

Words: Is­aac Watts, Hymns and Spi­ri­tu­al Songs 1707–09, Book 2, num­ber 150. The de­ceit­ful­ness of sin.

Music: Rem­sen Jo­seph P. Hol­brook, 1862 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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Joseph P. Holbrook
1822–1888

Lyrics

Sin has a thousand treacherous arts
To practice on the mind;
With flattering looks she tempts our hearts,
But leaves a sting behind.

With names of virtue she deceives
The agèd and the young;
And while the heedless wretch believes,
She makes his fetters strong.

She pleads for all the joys she brings,
And gives a fair pretense;
But cheats the soul of heav’nly things,
And chains it down to sense.

So on a tree divinely fair
Grew the forbidden food;
Our mother took the poison there
And tainted all her blood.