JOIN all the glorious names Of wisdom, love, and power, That ever mortals knew, That angels ever bore; All are too mean to speak His worth, Too mean to set my Saviour forth.
Arrayed in mortal flesh The Covenant Angel stands, And holds the promises And pardons in His hands; Commissioned from His Father’s throne To make His grace to mortals known.
I love my Shepherd’s voice; His watchful eye shall keep My wandering soul among The thousands of His sheep: He feeds His flock, He calls their names, And gently bears the tender lambs.
Be Thou my counsellor, My pattern, and my guide; And through this desert land Still keep me near Thy side: O, let my feet ne’er run astray, Nor rove, nor seek the crooked way!
Now let my soul arise, And tread the tempter down: My Captain leads me forth To conquest and a crown: A feeble saint shall win the day, Though death and hell obstruct the way.
Should all the hosts of death, And powers of hell unknown, Put their most dreadful forms Of rage and malice on, I shall be safe; for Christ displays Superior power and guardian grace.
Isaac Watts, 1674-1748