Hymns for the Amusement of Children (1791)/Fear of God

by Isaac Watts

HYMN III.

FEAR of GOD.

Celestial King, our spirits lie
Trembling beneath thy feet;
And wish, and cast a longing eye
To reach thy lofty seat.

In Thee, what endless wonders meet!
What various glory shines!
The crossing rays too fiercely beat
Upon our fainting minds.

Destruction waits upon thy frown,
And heav'n attends thy smile; <10>
A wreath of lightning arms thy crown,
But love adorns it still.

Angels are lost in sweet surprize,
If thou unveil thy grace;
And humble awe runs thro' the skies,
When wrath arrays thy face.

Created powers, how weak they be,
How short our praises fall!
So much akin to nothing we,
And Thou th'eternal all. <20>

Lord, here we bend our humble souls,
And awfully adore!
For the weak pinions of our minds
Can stretch a thought no more.