Hymns

Sure there's a righteous God

by Isaac Watts·1719·Meter 6.6.8.6 (SM)

Based on Ps 73

1

Sure there's a righteous God,
Nor is religion vain;
Though men of vice may boast aloud,
And men of grace complain.

2

I saw the wicked rise,
And felt my heart repine,
While haughty fools with scornful eyes
In robes of honor shine.

3

Pampered with wanton ease,
Their flesh looks full and fair;
Their wealth rolls in like flowing seas,
And grows without their care.

4

Free from the plagues and pains
That pious souls endure;
Through all their life oppression reigns,
And racks the humble poor.

5

Their impious tongues blaspheme
The everlasting God;
Their malice blasts the good man's name,
And spreads their lies abroad.

6

But I with flowing tears
Indulged my doubts to rise;
"Is there a God that sees or hears
The things below the skies?"

7

The tumults of my thought
Held me in hard suspense,
Till to thy house my feet were brought,
To learn thy justice thence.

8

Thy word with light and power
Did my mistake amend;
I viewed the sinners' life before,
But here I learnt their end.

9

On what a slipp'ry steep
The thoughtless wretches go;
And O that dreadful fiery deep
That waits their fall below!

10

Lord, at thy feet I bow,
My thoughts no more repine;
I call my God my portion now,
And all my powers are thine.

AfflictedDelightGodProsperityProsperous sinners cursed