This hymn, written by Isaac Watts and published around 1707, was a call to sing praise to God. It’s hard to believe today, but at one time the church warred within itself over what songs should be sung, or if there should be singing at all. Watts made his thoughts known in his third verse (typically sung as the second) when he said “Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God”.<\/p>\n
Verse 1
\nCome, we that love the Lord,
\nAnd let our joys be known;
\nJoin in a song with sweet accord,
\nAnd thus surround the throne.<\/p>\n
Verse 2
\nThe sorrows of the mind
\nBe banish’d from the place;
\nReligion never was design’d
\nTo make our pleasures less.<\/p>\n
Verse 3
\nLet those refuse to sing,
\nThat never knew our God;
\nBut fav’rites of the heav’nly King,
\nMay speak their joys abroad.<\/p>\n
Verse 4
\nThe God that rules on high,
\nAnd thunders when he please,
\nThat rides upon the stormy sky,
\nAnd manages the seas;<\/p>\n
Verse 5
\nThis awful God is ours,
\nOur Father and our Love;
\nHe shall send down his heav’nly powers
\nTo carry us above.<\/p>\n
Verse 6
\nThere we shall see his face,
\nAnd never, never sin;
\nThere, from the rivers of his grace,
\nDrink endless pleasures in.<\/p>\n
Verse 7
\nYes, and before we rise
\nTo that immortal state,
\nThe thought of such amazing bliss
\nShould constant joys create.<\/p>\n
Verse 8
\nThe men of grace have found
\nGlory begun below;
\nCelestial fruits on earthly ground
\nFrom faith and hope may grow.<\/p>\n
Verse 9
\nThe hill of Zion yields
\nA thousand sacred sweets,
\nBefore we reach the heav’nly fields,
\nOr walk the golden streets.<\/p>\n
Verse 10
\nThen let our songs abound,
\nAnd ev’ry tear be dry;
\nWe’re marching thro’ Immanuel’s ground
\nTo fairer worlds on high.<\/p>\n
From “The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This hymn, written by Isaac Watts and published around 1707, was a call to sing praise to God. It’s hard to believe today, but at one time the church warred within itself over what songs should be sung, or if there should be singing at all. Watts made his thoughts known in his third verse… <\/p>\n