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Lord, what a thoughtless wretch was I, To mourn, and…

“Lord, what a thoughtless wretch was I, To mourn, and murmur and repine, To see the wicked placed on high, In pride and robes of honor shine. But oh, their end, their dreadful end, Thy sanctuary taught me so, On slipp'ry rocks I see them stand, And fiery billows roll below.” quote by Isaac Watts
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“Lord, what a thoughtless wretch was I, To mourn, and murmur and repine, To see the wicked placed on high, In pride and robes of honor shine. But oh, their end, their dreadful end, Thy sanctuary taught me so, On slipp'ry rocks I see them stand, And fiery billows roll below.”

Isaac Watts

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The hymn reflects on personal sin, envy of the wicked, and the realization of divine justice, urging humility and repentance.

In simple terms: Recognize sin, envy, and divine justice.

Key Takeaway

Practice humility and repentance.

Themes

sin envy divine justice humility repentance

Mood

reflective somber

Type

spiritual literary

When to use this quote

  • personal reflection
  • sermon
  • teaching
  • literary analysis

Key Concepts

theology morality spiritual reflection

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does envy distort moral judgment?
  • What steps lead to true repentance?
A Different Perspective

Human tendency to envy can obscure moral clarity.

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