STUDY / LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE / HYMNS

Just are thy ways, and true thy word 3d Part. L. M Rejoicing in God; or, Salvation and triumph

Isaac Watts's setting of Psalm 18:30–1, 34–35, 46–50, 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. 3

METRE

Long Metre 8.8.8.8 · 5 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

Psalm 18:30–1, 34–35, 46–50 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 5 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

AMONG THE SCRIPTURES

The stanzas at the centre; around them, every book its heading and its echoes come from, Old Testament on the left and New on the right. Choose a stanza or a book.

a line echoes this verse its heading or an echo comes from here

STANZA I

Just are thy ways, and true thy word

Just are thy ways, and true thy word,

Great rock of my secure abode;

Who is a God beside the Lord?

Or where's a refuge like our God?

The psalm it sets

Watts made this hymn from Psalm 18:30–1, 34–35, 46–50, "in the language of the New Testament": a paraphrase, not a translation. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

34He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35You have given me Your shield of salvation; Your right hand upholds me, and Your gentleness exalts me. 46The LORD lives, and blessed be my Rock! And may the God of my salvation be exalted— 47the God who avenges me and subdues nations beneath me, 48who delivers me from my enemies. You exalt me above my foes; You rescue me from violent men. 49Therefore I will praise You, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing praises to Your name. 50Great salvation He brings to His king. He shows loving devotion to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever. PSALM 18:30–1, 34–35, 46–50 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ PSALM 18

He lives (and blessed be my rock!) The God of my salvation lives, The dark designs of hell are broke; Sweet is the peace my Father gives. 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 3. Point at a tick to see the hymn; click it to open that hymn.

NO. 3 · ISAAC WATTS · THIS HYMN Just are thy ways, and true thy word

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