Scripture Verse

Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Psalm 34:11

Introduction

portrait
Isaac Watts (1674–1748)

Words: Is­aac Watts, The Psalms of Da­vid 1719. Re­li­gious edu­ca­tion; or, in­struc­tions of pi­ety.

Music: Ab­schied Wen­zel Müll­er, 1828 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Wenzel Müller (1767–1835)

Lyrics

Children in years and know­ledge young,
Your par­ents’ hope, your par­ents’ joy,
Attend the coun­sels of my tongue,
Let pi­ous thoughts your minds em­ploy.

If you de­sire a length of days,
And peace to crown your mor­tal state,
Restrain your feet from im­pi­ous ways,
Your lips from slan­der and de­ceit.

The eyes of God re­gard His saints,
His ears are op­en to their cries;
He sets His frown­ing face against
The sons of vio­lence and lies.

To hum­ble souls and brok­en hearts
God with His grace is ev­er nigh;
Pardon and hope His love im­parts,
When men in deep con­tri­tion lie.

He tells their tears, He counts their groans,
His Son re­deems their souls from death;
His Spi­rit heals their brok­en bones,
They in His praise em­ploy their breath.