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Hymnal Number
164Resource Type:
Keys included:
D
About this Hymn
This hymn is based on the parable of the great banquet in Luke 14:12–24. Many who were invited made excuses and did not come, so the master asked his servant to invite anyone he could find on the street. Here Isaac Watts puts us in the position of the lowly who were granted entrance; then he petitions God to extend his gospel call to the nations with the hopes of uniting in grateful worship.
Lyrics
Verse 1
How sweet and aweful is the place with Christ within the doors, while everlasting love displays the choicest of her stores.
Verse 2
While all our hearts and all our songs join to admire the feast, each of us cry, with thankful tongues, "Lord, why was I a guest?"
Verse 3
"Why was I made to hear thy voice, and enter while there's room, when thousands make a wretched choice, and rather starve than come?"
Verse 4
'Twas the same love that spread the feast that sweetly drew us in; else we had still refused to taste, and perished in our sin.
Verse 5
Pity the nations, O our God, constrain the earth to come; send thy victorious word abroad, and bring the strangers home.
Verse 6
We long to see thy churches full, that all the chosen race may, with one voice and heart and soul, sing thy redeeming grace.
How sweet and aweful is the place with Christ within the doors, while everlasting love displays the choicest of her stores.
Verse 2
While all our hearts and all our songs join to admire the feast, each of us cry, with thankful tongues, "Lord, why was I a guest?"
Verse 3
"Why was I made to hear thy voice, and enter while there's room, when thousands make a wretched choice, and rather starve than come?"
Verse 4
'Twas the same love that spread the feast that sweetly drew us in; else we had still refused to taste, and perished in our sin.
Verse 5
Pity the nations, O our God, constrain the earth to come; send thy victorious word abroad, and bring the strangers home.
Verse 6
We long to see thy churches full, that all the chosen race may, with one voice and heart and soul, sing thy redeeming grace.
Copyrighted lyrics may be used in corporate worship in accordance with a valid CCLI license. Lyrics should be displayed unaltered and include author and copyright information. All other uses require permission from the copyright holder.
Attribution & Copyright
Words: Isaac Watts, 1707, alt.
Music: Irish melody, 19th c.
Music: Irish melody, 19th c.