Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts was a pastor and theologian from England. He was born in 1674. He was known as a desenter, which means he rebelled against the church of England in favor of establishment independant congregation that was free from government regulations on church. He spoke Latin at age 4 and Greek by 9. There was a divide among churches of the day about singing. One group that followed John Calvin said that only the Psalms could be sung. Another was led by Martin Luther and he encouraged personally written hymns. Most of the people of the day aligned themselves with Calvin. Watts and his father, who was a pastor argued this point. Watts' father challenged him to write a song for their church and he did. In 1707 he finished his first book of hymns, which spread all over the world and created a large debate. He was accussed of compromising the truth of scripture in favor of creativity and art.

"If one could pray spontaneously to God, why would it be any different to sing so?" In 1712 he broke mentally and physically and tried to step down, but his congregation gave him some time off to think through the issue.

We still sing some of his songs today. Among them are When I Survey the Wonderous Cross and Joy to the World. The singing to God from the heart that is present in many churches today are done so thanks in large part to the work of Isaac Watts.

The following song is a lesser known song of His that has captured my mind this week. Here is a link you can use to see other Isaac Watts hymns http://www.allthelyrics.com/lyrics/isaac_watts/



I sing th' almighty power of God,
That made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
And built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained
The sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God's command,
And all the stars obey.

2. I sing the goodness of the Lord,
Who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word,
And then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed,
Wherever I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread,
Or gaze upon the sky.

3. There's not a plant or flower below,
But makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow,
By order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee
Is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that we can be,
Thou, God art present there.