STUDY / LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE / HYMNS

Now let our lips with holy fear 2d Part. C. M The passion and exaltation of Christ

Isaac Watts's setting of Psalm 69:14–21, 26, 29, 32, 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 · 10 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

Psalm 69:14–21, 26, 29, 32 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 10 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 69:14–21, 26, 29, 32, "in the language of the New Testament": a paraphrase, not a translation. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

14Rescue me from the mire and do not let me sink; deliver me from my foes and out of the deep waters. 15Do not let the floods engulf me or the depths swallow me up; let not the Pit close its mouth over me. 16Answer me, O LORD, for Your loving devotion is good; turn to me in keeping with Your great compassion. 17Hide not Your face from Your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me quickly! 18Draw near to my soul and redeem me; ransom me because of my foes. 19You know my reproach, my shame and disgrace. All my adversaries are before You. 20Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found no one. 21They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst. 26For they persecute the one You struck and recount the pain of those You wounded. 29But I am in pain and distress; let Your salvation protect me, O God. 32The humble will see and rejoice. You who seek God, let your hearts be revived! PSALM 69:14–21, 26, 29, 32 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ PSALM 69

"All my reproach is known to thee, "The scandal and the shame; "Reproach has broke my bleeding heart, "And lies defil'd my Name. STANZA VI

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 Now let our lips with holy fear

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