There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.
Psalm 36:1–2
Words: Isaac Watts, The Psalms of David 1719. The wickedness of man, and the majesty of God; or, practical atheism exposed.
Music: Ben Rhydding Alexander R. Reinagle, in William Reid’s The Praise Book, 1866 (🔊 pdf nwc).
When man grows bold in sin,
My heart within me cries,
He hath no fear of God within,
Nor fear before his eyes.
He walks awhile concealed
In a self flattering dream,
Till his dark crimes at once revealed
Expose his hateful name.
His heart is false and foul,
His words are smooth and fair;
Wisdom is banished from his soul,
And leaves no goodness there.
He plots upon his bed
New mischiefs to fulfill;
He sets his heart, and hand, and head,
To practice all that’s ill.
But there’s a dreadful God,
Though men renounce His fear;
His justice, hid behind the cloud,
Shall one great day appear.
His truth transcends the sky,
In Heav’n His mercies dwell;
Deep as the sea His judgments lie,
His anger burns to hell.
How excellent His love,
Whence all our safety springs!
O never let my soul remove
From underneath His wings!