Religion
Hymn II.149: Honor to magistrates; or, Government from God
From Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Book II (1707)
Eternal Sovereign of the sky,
And Lord of all below;
We mortals to thy majesty
Our first obedience owe.
Our souls adore thy throne supreme,
And bless thy providence,
For magistrates of meaner name,
Our glory and defence.
The crowns of British princes shine
With rays above the rest,
Where laws and liberties combine
To make the nation blest.
Kingdoms on firm foundations stand,
While virtue finds reward;
And sinners perish from the land
By justice and the sword.
Let Caesar's due be ever paid
To Caesar and his throne;
But consciences and souls were made
To be the Lord's alone.
Cite this poem
MLA
Watts, Isaac. “Hymn II.149: Honor to magistrates; or, Government from God.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/watts/654/.
Chicago
Watts, Isaac. “Hymn II.149: Honor to magistrates; or, Government from God.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/watts/654/.
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