Religion

Hymn I.136: Sincerity and hypocrisy; or, formality in worship

by Isaac Watts 1674–1748

From Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Book I (1707)

Religion

God is a Spirit, just and wise,
He sees our inmost mind;
In vain to beav'n we raise our cries,
And leave our souls behind.

Nothing but truth before his throne
With honor can appear;
The painted hypocrites are known
Through the disguise they wear.

Their lifted eyes salute the skies,
Their bending knees the ground;
But God abhors the sacrifice,
Where not the heart is found.

Lord, search my thoughts, and try my ways,
And make my soul sincere
Then shall I stand before thy face,
And find acceptance there.

MLA

Watts, Isaac. “Hymn I.136: Sincerity and hypocrisy; or, formality in worship.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/watts/491/.

Chicago

Watts, Isaac. “Hymn I.136: Sincerity and hypocrisy; or, formality in worship.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/watts/491/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Isaac Watts