STUDY / LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE / HYMNS

Unto thine hand, O God of truth Psalm 31 Part 1

Isaac Watts's setting of Psalm 31:5, 13–19, 22–23, 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. 1

METRE

Common Metre 8.6.8.6 · 7 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

Psalm 31:5, 13–19, 22–23 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 7 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 31:5, 13–19, 22–23, "in the language of the New Testament": a paraphrase, not a translation. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

5Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD, God of truth. 13For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side. They conspire against me and plot to take my life. 14But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” 15My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. 16Make Your face shine on Your servant; save me by Your loving devotion. 17O LORD, let me not be ashamed, for I have called on You. Let the wicked be put to shame; let them lie silent in Sheol. 18May lying lips be silenced— lips that speak with arrogance against the righteous, full of pride and contempt. 19How great is Your goodness which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have bestowed before the sons of men on those who take refuge in You! 22In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from Your sight!” But You heard my plea for mercy when I called to You for help. 23Love the LORD, all His saints. The LORD preserves the faithful, but fully repays the arrogant. PSALM 31:5, 13–19, 22–23 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ PSALM 31

Unto thine hand, O God of truth, My spirit I commit; Thou hast redeemed my soul from death, And saved me from the pit. STANZA I

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 1. Point at a tick to see the hymn; click it to open that hymn.

NO. 1 · ISAAC WATTS · THIS HYMN Unto thine hand, O God of truth

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