What vain desires and passions vain

What vain desires and passions vain

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 8 hymnals

Representative Text

What vain desires and passions vain
Attend this mortal clay!
Oft have they pierced my soul with pain,
And drawn my heart astray.

How have I wandered from my God!
And, following sin and shame,
In this vile world of flesh and blood
Defiled my nobler frame!

For ever blessed be thy grace
That formed my soul anew,
And made it of a heav'n-born race,
Thy glory to pursue.

My spirit holds perpetual war,
And wrestles and complains;
But views the happy moment near
That shall dissolve its chains.

Cheerful in death I close my eyes
To part with every lust;
And charge my flesh, whene'er it rise,
To leave them in the dust.

My purer spirit shall not fear
To put this body on;
Its tempting powers no more are there,
Its lusts and passions gone!

The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts

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: What vain desires and passions vain
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Notes

What vain desires and passions vain, p. 1239, i., No. 196, This appeared in Watts's Sermons, vol. i., 1721.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 8 of 8)
Page Scan

A Choice Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of Christians #334

Page Scan

Church Pastorals, hymns and tunes for public and social worship #868

Page Scan

Hymns for Christian Melody #409

Text

Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #I.22.2

Supplement to Watts #d456

The Old Baptist Hymn Book #d304

TextPage Scan

The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #177

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us