Singing Psalm 4 with Isaac Watts

Here is Psalm 4 adapted into Long Meter by Isaac Watts – along with a few adaptations. We sang it to the tune of “I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day.”

O God of grace and righteousness,
Hear and attend when I complain;
Thou hast enlarged me in distress,
Bow down a gracious ear again.

Ye sons of men, in vain ye try
To turn my glory into shame;
How long will scoffers love to lie,
And dare reproach my Savior’s name?

Know that the Lord divides his saints
From all the tribes of men beside;
He hears the cry of penitents,
For the dear sake of Christ that died….

Let the unthinking many say,
“Who will bestow some earthly good?”
But, Lord, thy light and love we pray;
Our souls desire this heav’nly food.

Then shall my cheerful pow’rs rejoice,
At grace and favors so divine;
Nor will I change my happy choice
For all their corn and all their wine.

Thus, with my thoughts composed to pray,
I’ll give mine eyes to quiet sleep;
Thy hand in safety keeps my days,
And will all of my slumbers keep.