The Prosperity of Sinners Cursed

Lord, what a thoughtless wretch was I

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 124 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Lord, what a thoughtless wretch was I,
To mourn, and murmur, and repine
To see the wicked placed on high,
In pride and robes of honor shine!

2 But, oh, their end, their dreadful end!
Thy sanctuary taught me so;
On slipp'ry rocks I see them stand,
And fiery billows roll below.

3 Their fancied joys, how fast they flee!
Like dreams, as fleeting and as vain,
Their songs of softest harmony
Are but a prelude to their pain.

4 Now I esteem their mirth and wine
Too dear to purchase with my blood;
Lord, ’tis enough that Thou art mine,
My life, my portion and my God.

Source: Book of Worship (Rev. ed.) #92

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: Lord, what a thoughtless wretch was I
Title: The Prosperity of Sinners Cursed
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.8.8.8
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

HUNTINGTON (Southern Harmony)


GREENWICH (Read)


DEUS TUORUM MILITUM (Grenoble)

DEUS TUORUM MILITUM (sometimes called GRENOBLE) was published in France in the 1753 Grenoble Antiphoner as a setting for the text "Deus tuorum militum" (“The God of Your Soldiers”). One of the finest French diocesan tunes from the eighteenth century, it represents a departure in Roman Catholic h…

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Timeline

Instances

Instances (101 - 124 of 124)
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The Psalmist #755

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The Psalmody #676

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The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #457

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The Psalms of David #LXXIIIc

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The Psalms of David #P73c

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The Psalms of David #130

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The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. #73c

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The Revivalist #94

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The Sabbath Hymn and Tune Book #344c

The Sabbath Hymn Book. Baptist ed. #d617

The Sacred Harp #183

The Sacred Harp #193

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The Social and Sabbath School Hymn-Book. (5th ed.) #222

The Social Harp #19

The Social Harp #38b

The Social Harp #173

The South Western Psalmist #d234

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The Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion (New ed. thoroughly rev. and much enl.) #169

The Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion. New ed. #169

The Vestry Harp #d116

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The Virginia Selection of Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs #71

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Wyeth's Repository of Sacred Music #37

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Wyeth's Repository of Sacred Music #108

Pages

Exclude 120 pre-1979 instances
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