God is the refuge of his saints
God is the refuge of his saints. Isaac Watts* (1674-1748).
From The Psalms of David (1719), Psalm 46, First Part (verses 1-5), with the title, ‘The Church’s Safety and Triumph among National Desolations’. Though close to the spirit and sense of the psalm, it is a free rendering; though it does not make it obviously Christian, it has the strength and economy of verse achieved by Watts at his best:
God is the Refuge of his Saints,When Storms of sharp Distress invade;E’er we can offer our ComplaintsBehold him present with his Aid.
Let Mountains from their Seats be hurl’dDown to the deep, and buried there;Convulsions shake the solid World,Our Faith shall never yield to Fear.
Loud may the...
If you have a valid subscription to Dictionary of Hymnology, please log inlog in to view this content. If you require a subscription, please click here.
MLA style (see MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing, 3rd Ed.)
. "God is the refuge of his saints."
The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology. Canterbury Press. Web. 22 Jan. 2026.<
http://www.hymnology.co.uk/g/god-is-the-refuge-of-his-saints>.
Chicago style (see The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th Ed.)
. "God is the refuge of his saints."
The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology. Canterbury Press, accessed January 22, 2026,
http://www.hymnology.co.uk/g/god-is-the-refuge-of-his-saints.