Psalm 118
Words: Isaac Watts
Note: Watts did not do a complete version of this Psalm in a single metre,
but he did create several shorter hymns from portions of the psalm.
v. 6--15. PART 1.
Deliverance from a tumult.
1 The Lord appears my helper now,
Nor is my faith afraid.
What all the sons of earth can do,
Since heav'n affords its aid.
2 'Tis safer, Lord, to hope in thee,
And have my God my friend,
Than trust in men of high degree,
And on their truth depend.
3 Like bees, my foes beset me round,
A large and angry swarm;
But I shall all their rage confound
By thine almighty arm.
4 'Tis through the Lord my heart is strong,
In him my lips rejoice;
While his salvation is my song,
How cheerful is my voice!
5 Like angry bees, they girt me round;
When God appears they fly;
So burning thorns, with crackling sound,
Make a fierce blaze and die.
6 Joy to the saints and peace belongs;
The Lord protects their days:
Let Isr'el tune immortal songs
To his almighty grace.
v. 17--21. PART 2.
Public praise for deliverance from death.
1 Lord, thou hast heard thy servant cry
And rescued from the grave;
Now shall he live; and none can die,
If God resolve to save.
2 Thy praise, more constant than before,
Shall fill his daily breath;
Thy hand, that hath chastised him sore,
Defends him still from death.
3 Open the gates of Zion now,
For we shall worship there;
The house where all the righteous go
Thy mercy to declare.
4 Among th' assemblies of thy saints
Our thankful voice we raise;
There we have told thee our complaints,
And there we speak thy praise.
v. 22, 25. PART 3.
Christ the foundation of his church.
1 Behold the sure foundation-stone
Which God in Zion lays,
To build our heav'nly hopes upon,
And his eternal praise.
2 Chosen of God, to sinners dear,
And saints adore the name;
They trust their whole salvation here,
Nor shall they suffer shame.
3 The foolish builders, scribe and priest,
Reject it with disdain;
Yet on this Rock the church shall rest,
And envy rage in vain.
4 What though the gates of hell withstood,
Yet must this building rise;
'Tis thy own work, almighty God,
And wondrous in our eyes.
v. 24--26. Part 4.
Hosanna; the Lord's day: or,
Christ's resurrection and our salvation.
1 This is the day the Lord hath made,
He calls the hours his own;
Let heav'n rejoice, let earth be glad,
And praise surround the throne.
2 To-day he rose and left the dead,
And Satan's empire fell;
To-day the saints his triumphs spread,
And all his wonders tell.
3 Hosanna to th' anointed King,
To David's holy Son;
Help us, O Lord; descend and bring
Salvation from thy throne.
4 Blessed be the Lord, who comes to men
With messages of grace;
Who comes in God his Father's name
To save our sinful race.
5 Hosanna in the highest strains
The church on earth can raise;
The highest heav'ns, in which he reigns,
Shall give him nobler praise.
v. 22--27
A, hosanna for the Lord's day, or
A new song of salvation by Christ.
1 See what a living stone
The builders did refuse;
Yet God hath built his church thereon,
In spite of envious Jews.
2 The scribe and angry priest
Reject thine only Son;
Yet on this Rock shall Zion rest,
As the chief corner-stone.
3 The work, O Lord, is thine,
And wondrous in our eyes;
This day declares it all divine,
This day did Jesus rise.
4 This is the glorious day
That our Redeemer made;
Let us rejoice, and sing, and pray,
Let all the church be glad.
5 Hosanna to the King
Of David's royal blood;
Bless him, ye saints, he comes to bring
Salvation from your God.
6 We bless thine holy word,
Which all this grace displays;
And offer on thine altar, Lord,
Our sacrifice of praise.
v. 22--27.
An hosanna for the Lord's day,
or, A new song of salvation by Christ.
1 Lo! what a glorious corner-stone
The Jewish builders did refuse;
But God hath built his church thereon,
In spite of envy and the Jews.
2 Great God, the work is all divine,
The joy and wonder of our eyes;
This is the day that proves it thine,
The day that saw our Savior rise.
3 Sinners, rejoice; and saints, be glad;
Hosanna, let his name be blessed;
A thousand honors on his head,
With peace, and light, and glory rest!
4 In God's own name he comes to bring
Salvation to our dying race;
Let the whole church address their King
With hearts of joy and songs of praise.