1148    C.M.     Isaac Watts
Perfection alone in God

1 Let all the heathen writers join
  To form one perfect book,
  Great God, if once compared with thine,
  How mean their writings look!

2 Not the most perfect rules they gave,
  Could show one sin forgiven,
  Nor lead a step beyond the grave;
  But thine conduct to heaven.

3 I’ve seen an end to what we call
  Perfection here below;
  How short the powers of nature fall,
  And can no farther go.

4 Yet men would fain be just with God,
  By works their hands have wrought;
  But thy commands, exceeding broad,
  Extend to every thought.

5 In vain we boast perfection here,
  While sin defiles our frame;
  And sinks our virtues down so far,
  They scarce deserve the name.

6 Our faith and love, and every grace,
  Fall far below thy word;
  But perfect truth and righteousness
  Dwell only with the Lord.