How vain are all things here below

From ChoralWiki

General information

This is an hymn by Isaac Watts, 1709, Hymn 48 of Book 2, entitled Love to the creatures is dangerous. Meter is 86. 86 (C.M.).

Settings by composers (automated)

Jeremiah Ingalls — Lynnfield English SATB
Hezekiah Moors — Bashan English SATB
Merit Woodruff — Beaufort English SATB

Text and translations

English text

How vain are all things here below!
How false, and yet how fair!
Each pleasure hath its poison too,
And every sweet a snare.

The brightest things below the sky
Give but a flattering light;
We should suspect some danger nigh
Where we possess delight.

Our dearest joys, and nearest friends,
The partners of our blood,
How they divide our wavering minds,
And leave but half for God!

The fondness of a creature's love,
How strong it strikes the sense!
Thither the warm affections move,
Nor can we call them thence.

Dear Savior! let thy beauties be
My soul's eternal food;
And grace command my heart away
From all created good.