STUDY / LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE / HYMNS

Thus saith the Lord, "the spacious fields Second Part. C. M. Obedience is better than sacrifice

Isaac Watts's setting of Psalm 50:8, 10–11, 14–15, 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. 2

METRE

Common Metre 8.6.8.6 · 4 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

Psalm 50:8, 10–11, 14–15, 23 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 4 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 50:8, 10–11, 14–15, 23, "in the language of the New Testament": a paraphrase, not a translation. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

8I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices, and your burnt offerings are ever before Me. 10for every beast of the forest is Mine— the cattle on a thousand hills. 11I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine. 14Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High. 15Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” 23He who sacrifices a thank offering honors Me, and to him who rights his way, I will show the salvation of God.” PSALM 50:8, 10–11, 14–15, 23 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ PSALM 50

Thus saith the Lord, "the spacious fields "And flocks and herds are mine "O'er all the cattle of the hills "I claim a right divine. 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 Thus saith the Lord, "the spacious fields

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