STUDY / LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE / HYMNS

Why do the wealthy wicked boast Second Part Charity to the poor; or, Religion in words and deeds

Isaac Watts's setting of Psalm 37:16, 21, 26–31, 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

Common Metre 8.6.8.6 · 6 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

Psalm 37:16, 21, 26–31 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 37:16, 21, 26–31, "in the language of the New Testament": a paraphrase, not a translation. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

16Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked. 21The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving. 26They are ever generous and quick to lend, and their children are a blessing. 27Turn away from evil and do good, so that you will abide forever. 28For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off. 29The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. 30The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. 31The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not falter. PSALM 37:16, 21, 26–31 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ PSALM 37

The wicked borrows of his friends, But ne'er designs to pay; The saint is merciful and lends, Nor turns the poor away. STANZA II

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 Why do the wealthy wicked boast

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