Scripture Verse

I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in Thy Word. Psalm 119:147

Introduction

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Isaac Watts (1674–1748)

Words: Is­aac Watts, The Psalms of Da­vid 1719. Sec­ret de­vo­tion and spi­rit­ual-mind­ed­ness; or, con­stant con­verse with God.

Music: So­ho Jo­seph Barn­by, 1881 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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Joseph Barnby (1838–1896)

Lyrics

To Thee, be­fore the dawn­ing light
My gra­cious God, I pray;
I me­di­tate Thy name by night,
And keep Thy law by day.

My spi­rit faints to see Thy grace,
Thy pro­mise bears me up;
And while sal­va­tion long de­lays,
Thy Word sup­ports my hope.

Seven times a day I lift my hands,
And pay my thanks to Thee;
Thy right­eous pro­vi­dence de­mands
Repeated praise from me.

When mid­night dark­ness veils the skies,
I call Thy works to mind;
My thoughts in warm de­vo­tion rise,
And sweet ac­cept­ance find.