The Wonderful Formation of Man

'Twas from thy hand, my God, I came

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 35 hymnals

Representative Text

'Twas from thy hand, my God, I came,
A work of such a curious frame
In me thy fearful wonders shine,
And each proclaims thy skill divine.

Thine eyes did all my limbs survey,
Which yet in dark confusion lay;
Thou saw'st the daily growth they took,
Formed by the model of thy book.

By thee my growing parts were named,
And what thy sovereign counsels framed-
The breathing lungs, the beating heart-
Was copied with unerring art.

At last, to show my Maker's name,
God stamped his image on my frame,
And in some unknown moment joined
The finished members to the mind.

There the young seeds of thought began,
And all the passions of the man:
Great God, our infant nature pays
Immortal tribute to thy praise.

Lord, since in my advancing age
I've acted on life's busy stage,
Thy thoughts of love to me surmount
The power of numbers to recount.

I could survey the ocean o'er,
And count each sand that makes the shore,
Before my swiftest thoughts could trace
The num'rous wonders of thy grace.

These on my heart are still impressed,
With these I give my eyes to rest;
And at my waking hour I find
God and his love possess my mind.



Source: The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #56

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: 'Twas from thy hand, my God, I came
Title: The Wonderful Formation of Man
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.8.8.8
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 35 of 35)

A Collection of Hymns and Psalms for the Use of Singing School and Musical Societies #d167

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A Select Verse System for the Use of Individuals, Families, and Schools #10

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Church Psalmist #P139c

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Church Psalmist #P139c

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Church Psalmist #P139c

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Church Psalmody #P139.3

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Church Psalmody #P139c

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Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David, corrected and enlarged, to which is added a collection of hymns; the whole applied to the state of the Christian Church in general (2nd ed.) #263

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Doctor Watts's imitation of the Psalms of David, to which is added a collection of hymns; the whole applied to the state of the Christian Church in general (3rd ed.) #247

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Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David #263

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Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David #247

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Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David #CXXXIXb

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Dr. Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David #308

Hymns for the Use of the Society of United Christian Friends Professing the Faith of Universal Salvation #d432

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Manual of Christian Psalmody #P139c

Parish Psalmody #d863

Parish Psalmody #d879

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Philadelphia harmony #50

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Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #Ps.315

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Psalms and Hymns, for Christian Use and Worship #P139.5

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Psalms and Hymns #P139c

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Psalms, carefully suited to the Christian worship in the United States of America #289

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Psalms #139b

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The Baptist Hymn Book #73

The Bay State Collection of Church Music #d202

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The Christian Psalmist; or, Watts' Psalms and Hymns #P139b

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The Columbian Repository #334

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The Key-Stone Collection of Church Music #92b

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The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #56

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The Psalms of David #CXXXIXb

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The Psalms of David #P139b

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The Psalms of David #257

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The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. #139b

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