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Firm was my health, my day was bright Second Part Health, sickness, and recovery

Isaac Watts's setting of Psalm 30:6–12, 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. 2

METRE

Long Metre 8.8.8.8 · 6 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

Psalm 30:6–12 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 6 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 30:6–12, "in the language of the New Testament": a paraphrase, not a translation. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

6In prosperity I said, “I will never be shaken.” 7O LORD, You favored me; You made my mountain stand strong. When You hid Your face, I was dismayed. 8To You, O LORD, I called, and I begged my Lord for mercy: 9“What gain is there in my bloodshed, in my descent to the Pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it proclaim Your faithfulness? 10Hear me, O LORD, and have mercy; O LORD, be my helper.” 11You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12that my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks forever. PSALM 30:6–12 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ PSALM 30

Firm was my health, my day was bright, And I presum'd 'twould ne'er be night; Fondly I said within my heart, "Pleasure and peace shall ne'er depart." 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 2. Point at a tick to see the hymn; click it to open that hymn.

NO. 2 · ISAAC WATTS · THIS HYMN Firm was my health, my day was bright

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