Hymn
Imperfection of Nature, and Perfection of Scripture
Let all the heathen writers join
To form one perfect book;
Great God, if once compared with thine,
How mean their writings look!
How mean their writings look!
Not the most perfect rules they gave
Could show one sin forgiv'n,
Nor lead one step beyond the grave;
But thine conducts to heaven.
But thine conducts to heaven.
Yet men would fain be just with God
By works their hands have wrought;
But thy commands, exceeding broad,
Extend to every thought.
Extend to every thought.
Our faith, and love, and every grace,
Fall far below thy word;
But perfect truth and righteousness
Dwell only in the Lord.
Dwell only in the Lord.
Imperfection of Nature, and Perfection of Scripture — Text from Christ in Song, 1908. Public domain. https://yeshuanow.com/hymns/imperfection-of-nature-and-perfection-of-scripture
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Questions about this hymn
Who wrote Imperfection of Nature, and Perfection of Scripture?
The words of Imperfection of Nature, and Perfection of Scripture were written by Isaac Watts; the version here was published in 1908. The library holds 248 more hymns by Isaac Watts, including The Resurrection of Christ and I love the volume of Thy Word.
Is Imperfection of Nature, and Perfection of Scripture public domain?
Yes. The words here are taken from Christ in Song, published in 1908. Works published before 1931 are out of copyright in the United States, so you can print, project, perform and record this hymn freely. How we source and check every hymn.
What is the metre of Imperfection of Nature, and Perfection of Scripture?
Imperfection of Nature, and Perfection of Scripture is in Common Metre (8.6.8.6). Hymns in the same metre can usually be sung to the same tunes — for example, Come, Thou Desire of All the Saints, O for a Thousand Tongues and The Saints In Glory.