Religion

Psalm 40, Part 2: The incarnation and sacrifice of Christ

by Isaac Watts 1674–1748

From The Psalms of David Imitated (1719)

Religion

Thus saith the Lord, "Your work is vain
Give your burnt-offerings o'er;
In dying goats, and bullocks slain,
My soul delights no more."

Then spake the Savior, "Lo, I'm here,
My God, to do thy will;
Whate'er thy sacred books declare,
Thy servant shall fulfil.

"Thy law is ever in my sight,
I keep it near my heart;
Mine ears are opened with delight
To what thy lips impart."

And see, the blest Redeemer comes,
Th' eternal Son appears,
And at th' appointed time assumes
The body God prepares.

Much he revealed his Father's grace,
And much his truth he showed,
And preached the way of righteousness
Where great assemblies stood.

His Father's honor touched his heart,
He pitied sinners' cries,
And, to fulfil a Savior's part,
Was made a sacrifice.

No blood of beasts on altars shed
Could wash the conscience clean;
But the rich sacrifice he paid
Atones for all our sin.

Then was the great salvation spread,
And Satan's kingdom shook;
Thus by the woman's promised seed
The serpent's head was broke.

MLA

Watts, Isaac. “Psalm 40, Part 2: The incarnation and sacrifice of Christ.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/watts/93/.

Chicago

Watts, Isaac. “Psalm 40, Part 2: The incarnation and sacrifice of Christ.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/watts/93/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Isaac Watts