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.

650. How vain are all things here below!

1 How vain are all things here below!
How false, and yet how fair!
Each pleasure hath its poison too,
And every sweet a snare.

2 The brightest things below the sky
Give but a flattering light;
We should suspect some danger nigh
Where we possess delight.

3 Our dearest joy, and nearest friends,
The partners of our blood,
How they divide our wavering minds,
And leave but half for God!

4 My Saviour, let thy beauties be
My soul's eternal food;
And grace command my heart away
From all created good.

Text Information
First Line: How vain are all things here below!
Author: Isaac Watts
Publication Date: 1886
Topic: The Christian: Godly Life
Notes: Public Domain.
Tune Information
Name: SILOAM
Composer: Isaac B. Woodbury
Meter: C. M.
Key: D Major
Notes: Now Public Domain. Alternate tunes: #724, 395, or 941.



Media
More media are available on the tune authority page.

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.