The Vanity of Man as Mortal – Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts

The Vanity of Man as Mortal

Teach me the measure of my days,
Thou Maker of my frame;
I would survey life’s narrow space,
And learn how frail I am.
 
A span is all that we can boast,
An inch or two of time;
Man is but vanity and dust
In all his flower and prime.
 
See the vain race of mortals move
Like shadows o’er the plain;
They rage and strive, desire and love,
But all the noise is vain.
 
Some walk in honor’s gaudy show,
Some dig for golden ore;
They toil for heirs, they know not who,
And straight are seen no more.
 
What should I wish or wait for, then,
From creatures earth and dust?
They make our expectations vain,
And disappoint our trust.
 
Now I forbid my carnal hope,
My fond desires recall;
I give my mortal interest up,
And make my God my all. 

Isaac Watts

1674-1748

Dr. Steven R. Cook

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