1 Sing to the LORD, ye distant lands,
ye tribes of ev'ry tongue;
his new-discovered grace demands
a new and nobler song.
Tell all the nations, "Jesus reigns,
God's own almighty Son;
his pow'r the sinking world sustains,
and grace surrounds his throne."
2 Let heav'n proclaim the joyful day;
let joy on earth be seen;
let cities shine in bright array,
and fields in cheerful green.
Let joy above all joys
surprise the islands of the sea;
ye mountains sink; ye valleys rise;
prepare the LORD his way.
3 Behold, he comes, he comes to bless
the nations as their God,
to show the world his righteousness,
and send his truth abroad.
But when his voice shall raise the dead,
and bid the world draw near,
how will the guilty nations dread
to see their judge appear.
Source: Christian Worship: Psalter #96D
Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >| First Line: | Sing to the Lord, ye distant lands |
| Title: | Christ's First and Second Coming |
| Author: | Isaac Watts |
| Meter: | 8.6.8.6 |
| Language: | English |
| Copyright: | Public Domain |
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