Isaac Watts: Hymns and Spiritual Songs
Isaac Watts is known as the “Father of English Hymnody,” and aptly so since he is credited with writing somewhere around 750 hymns. His hymns have been embraced and published by many different denominations such as Baptists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Methodist. Watts’ marvelous God-given talent as a wordsmith paired with his fresh philosophy toward hymnody made him one of the most influential hymn writers the world has ever known.
He was born in Southhampton, England on July 17, 1674 and died on November 25, 1749. He was known to be a precocious child, which is a common trait among brilliant people. His love for reading and rhyming became apparent at a very young age and continued to blossom throughout his childhood. At age seven he wrote several verses that would be impressive at face value, but upon deeper inspection the reader can see that young Watts used his name as an acrostic.
“I” — I am a vile, polluted lump of earth
“S” — So I’ve continued ever since my birth
“A” — Although Jehovah, grace doth daily give me
“A” — As sure this monster, Satan, will deceive me
“C” — Come therefore, Lord, from Satan’s claws relieve me.“W” — Wash me in Thy blood, O Christ
“A” — And grace divine impart
“T” — Then search and try the corners of my heart
“T” — That I in all things may be fit to do
“S” — Service to Thee, and Thy praise too.
Once as a child, he reportedly got in trouble for making rhymes out of everyday language. Scolded for this, he replied,
“Oh, Father, do some pity take,
and I will no more verses make.”
As he grew older and matured as a theologian and logician, his writings grew in significance and depth. His first collection of published writings titled Horae Lyrica appeared in 1705. This was a collection of Latin poems, poems about Divine Love, Psalms and devotionals intended to provide poetic expressions for meditation and worship, in both private and corporate settings.
Due to the broad acceptance of Horae Lyrica in 1705, Watts then published his first significant contribution to hymnody titled Hymns and Spiritual Songs in 1707. This was a collection of hymns that were broken into three parts: Part one were hymns based on scripture, part two were hymns on “divine subjects,” and part three were hymns for the Lord’s Supper.
It is hard to believe that Hymns and Spiritual Songs was a collection of some of his earliest writings because this collection included many extremely popular songs which are still sung by the church. Songs like, Alas and Did My Savior Bleed, Am I A Soldier of The Cross, Come, We That Love The Lord, and When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross has been described as the greatest hymn of the English language! Other popular songs from Isaac Watts which are still widely sung today include: O God, Our Help in Ages Past which is a paraphrase of Psalm 90, Joy to the World (from Psalm 98), Jesus Shall Reign (from Psalm 72).
Explaining his philosophy on hymn-writing in Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Watts is quoted as saying,
“While we sing the praises of God in His church, we are employed in that part of worship which of all others is the nearest akin to heaven, and ’tis pity that this of all others should be performed the worst upon earth. That very action which should elevate us to the most delightful and divine sensations doth not only flat our devotion but too often awakens our regret and touches all the springs of uneasiness within us.”
Watts was passionate about hymnody and he desired to see the hymns greater reflect the experiences of the people. He believed the hymns of the church should be filled with the message of the Gospel and that the text should express the thoughts and feelings of the singer. This new philosophy broke away from the Calvinistic belief that the church must only sing the Old Testament Psalms. Watts writings were pivotal in the overarching view of church history.
After his death, this well-loved writer was honored with a statue in the Poet’s Corner of Westminster Abbey and a statue in Watts Park in Southhampton.
