STUDY / LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE / HYMNS

Mine eyes and my desire Third Part Distress of soul; or, Backsliding and desertion

Isaac Watts's setting of Psalm 25:15–22, 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

Short Metre 6.6.8.6 · 8 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

Psalm 25:15–22 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 8 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 25:15–22, "in the language of the New Testament": a paraphrase, not a translation. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

15My eyes are always on the LORD, for He will free my feet from the mesh. 16Turn to me and be gracious, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17The troubles of my heart increase; free me from my distress. 18Consider my affliction and trouble, and take away all my sins. 19Consider my enemies, for they are many, and they hate me with vicious hatred. 20Guard my soul and deliver me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You. 21May integrity and uprightness preserve me, because I wait for You. 22Redeem Israel, O God, from all its distress. PSALM 25:15–22 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ PSALM 25

Mine eyes and my desire Are ever to the Lord; I love to plead his promises, And rest upon his word. 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 3. Point at a tick to see the hymn; click it to open that hymn.

NO. 3 · ISAAC WATTS · THIS HYMN Mine eyes and my desire

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