You help make Hymnary.org possible.

In 2025, more than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources, and encouragement here. If Hymnary has meant something to you this year, would you take a moment to help sustain it? A gift of any size — and a note of encouragement, if you'd like to share one — directly supports the server costs, research, and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org (c/o Calvin University)
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for being part of this important online ministry resource.

II.XIX. Our frail bodies, and God our preserver

1 Let others boast how strong they be,
Nor death nor danger fear;
But we'll confess, O Lord, to thee,
What feeble things we are.

2 Fresh as the grass our bodies stand,
And flourish bright and gay;
A blasting wind sweeps o'er the land,
And fades the grass away.

3 Our life contains a thousand springs,
And dies if one be gone;
Strange! that a harp of thousand strings
Should keep in tune so long.

4 But 'tis our God supports our frame,
The God that built us first,
Salvation to th' Almighty name,
That rear'd us from the dust.

5 [He spoke, and straight our hearts and brains
in all their motions rose;
"Let blood (said he) flow round the veins;"
And round the veins it flows.

6 While we have breath, or use or tongues,
Our Maker we'll adore;
His Spirit moves our heaving lungs,
Or they would breath no more.]

Text Information
First Line: Let others boast how strong they be
Title: Our frail bodies, and God our preserver
Author: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
Meter: C.M.
Language: English
Publication Date: 1793
Notes: Public Domain.
Tune Information
(No tune information)



Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.