How awful is thy chast'ning rod!

How awful is thy chast'ning rod!

Author: Isaac Watts
Tune: ALIDA (American)
Published in 30 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

11 "How awful is thy chast'ning rod!
(May thy own children say)
The great, the wise, the dreadful God!
How holy is his way!"

12 I’ll meditate his works of old,
Who reigns in heav'n above,
I’ll hear his ancient wonders told,
And learn to trust his love.

13 He saw the house of Joseph lie
With Egypt’s yoke opprest;
Long he delay'd to hear their cry,
Nor gave his people rest.

14 The sons of pious Jacob seem'd
Abandon'd to their foes;
But his almighty arm redeem'd
The nation that he chose.

15 From slavish chains he sets them free
They follow where he calls;
He bade them venture thro' the deep,
And made the waves their walls.

16 The waters saw thee, mighty God,
The waters saw thee come;
Backward they fled, and frighted stood,
To make thine armies room.

17 Strange was thy journey thro' the sea,
Thy footsteps, Lord, unknown;
Terrors attend the wond'rous way
That brings thy mercies down.

18 [Thy voice with terror in the sound
Thro' clouds and darkness broke;
All heav’n in lightning shone around,
And earth with thunder shook.

19 Thine arrows thro' the skies were hurl'd,
How glorious is the Lord!
Surprise and tremb'ling seiz'd the world,
And all his saints ador'd.

20 He gave them water from the rock;
And safe by Moses’ hand,
Thro' a dry desert led his flock
To Canaan's promis'd land.]

Source: Church Hymn Book: consisting of newly composed hymns with the addition of hymns and psalms, from other authors, carefully adapted for the use of public worship, and many other occasions (1st ed.) #P.LXXVII.II

Author: Isaac Watts

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 >

Text Information

First Line: How awful is thy chast'ning rod!
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

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The Cyber Hymnal #2565
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The Cyber Hymnal #2565

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