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O Thou whose justice reigns on high Psalm 56

Isaac Watts's setting of Psalm 56, printed in 1719 in The Psalms of David Imitated, where he set the psalms "in the language of the New Testament".

WRITTEN BY

Isaac Watts 1674–1748

PRINTED

1719 The Psalms of David Imitated · no. 56

METRE

Common Metre 8.6.8.6 · 10 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

Psalm 56 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 10 stanzas as Watts printed them, with the verses their lines echo beside them. Point at a line to join it to its verse; click to read the passage.

SHARED WORDSthe verse shares the line's wording ECHOproposed by an AI model, confirmed by a separate check Not the author's own notes

The psalm it sets

Watts made this hymn from Psalm 56, "in the language of the New Testament": a paraphrase, not a translation. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

1Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack. 2My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me. 3When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. 4In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? … 9 more verses PSALM 56 · ITS FIRST VERSES · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ PSALM 56

In God most holy, just, and true, I have reposed my trust; Nor will I fear what flesh can do, The offspring of the dust. STANZA III

Its place in the book

Watts's psalms run from Psalm 1 to Psalm 150, several settings to many psalms: 367 hymns. This is number 56. Point at a tick to see the hymn; click it to open that hymn.

NO. 56 · ISAAC WATTS · THIS HYMN O Thou whose justice reigns on high

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