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Hymns for the Amusement of Children (1791)/Truth

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212125Hymns for the Amusement of Children — Hymn X. Truth1791Christopher Smart

HYMN X.

TRUTH.

'Tis thus the holy Scriptures ends,
"Whoever loves or makes a lie,
"On heav'ns felicity depends
"In vain, for he shall surely die."[1]

5The stars, the firmament, the sun,
God's glorious work, God's great design,
All, all was finish'd as begun,
By rule, by compass, and by line.

Hence David unto heav'n appeals,
10 "Ye heav'ns his righteousness declare;" [2]
His signet their duration seals,[3]
And bids them be as firm, as fair.

Then give me grace, celestial Sire,
The truth to love, the truth to tell;
15Let everlasting sweets aspire,
And filth and falshood sink to hell.

Notes

  1. 1—4. See: Revelation 22:14—15: "(14) Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
    (15) For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie."
  2. 10. See: Psalms 50:6: "And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself".
  3. 11. See: Job 9:7: "Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars".

This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

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