Vain are the hopes the sons of men

From ChoralWiki

Jump to navigation Jump to search

General information

This is an hymn by Isaac Watts, 1707, from Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Hymn 94 of Book 1. Meter is 86. 86 (C.M.).

Settings by composers (automated)

William Billings — Old South English SATB

Text and translations

English text

1. Vain are the hopes the sons of men
On their own works have built;
Their hearts by nature all unclean,
And all their actions guilt.

2. Let Jew and Gentile stop their mouths
Without a murmuring word,
And the whole race of Adam stand
Guilty before the Lord.

3. In vain we ask God's righteous law
To justify us now;
Since to convince and to condemn
Is all the law can do.

4. Jesus, how glorious is thy grace!
When in thy name we trust,
Our faith receives a righteousness
That makes the sinner just.