The Saint Happy, the Sinner Miserable

The man is ever blest, Who shuns the sinners' way

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 117 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 How truly blest are they
who shun the sinners' ways,
among their counsels never stand,
nor take the scorners' place,

2 But make the law of God
their study and delight
amid the labors of the day
and watches of the night.

3 He like a tree shall thrive
with waters near the root.
Fresh as the leaf their name shall live;
their works are heav'nly fruit.

4 The wicked are not so!
They no such blessing find.
Their hopes shall flee like empty chaff
before the driving wind.

5 How will they bear to stand
before that judgment seat
where all the saints at Christ's right hand
in full assembly meet?

6 God knows and he approves
the way the righteous go,
but sinners and their works shall meet
a dreadful overthrow.

Source: Christian Worship: Psalter #1B

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: The man is ever blest, Who shuns the sinners' way
Title: The Saint Happy, the Sinner Miserable
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 6.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #4253
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
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Instances

Instances (1 - 6 of 6)
TextPage Scan

Christian Worship (1993) #475

TextPage Scan

Christian Worship #1B

Text

In Melody and Songs #1

Text

Lutheran Service Book #705

Text

Lutheran Worship #388

TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #4253

Include 111 pre-1979 instances
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