Isaac Watts

17 July 1674 – 25 November 1748 / Southampton / England

Psalm I: The Man Is Ever Blessed

The man is ever bless'd
Who shuns the sinners' ways,
Among their councils never stands,
Nor takes the scorner's place;

But makes the law of God
His study and delight,
Amidst the labours of the day,
And watches of the night.

He like a tree shall thrive,
With waters near the root;
Fresh as the leaf his name shall live;
His works are heav'nly fruit.

Not so the ungoodly race,
They no such blessings find;
Their hopes shall flee, like empty chaff
Before the driving wind.

How will they bear to stand
Before that judgement-seat,
When all the saints, at Christ's right hand,
In full assembly meet.

He knows, and he approves,
The way the righteous go;
But sinners and their works shall meet
A dreadful overthrow.
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