Watts, Isaac (1674-1748)

Hymns of Wesley and Watts: Five Papers

Watts, Isaac (1674-1748) -- from Wikipedia Article

Isaac Watts -- from The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge

Divine and Moral Songs

Description: Divine and Moral Songs for Children became a ubiquitous children’s book throughout England for nearly two hundred years. By the mid-19th century, the book existed in over a thousand editions. So well-known were some of the children’s poems that Lewis Carroll parodied them in Alice in Wonderland and Charles Dickens referenced them in David Copperfield. Modern readers (or singers), however, remember Watts’ songbook not so much for its rhymes for children, but for its hymns. For many Christian families throughout the English-speaking world, Isaac Watts—author of “Joy to the World” and “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”—remains a household name.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff

Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts

Description: Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts brings together some of the best hymns by beloved hymn writer Isaac Watts. Watts, who wrote over six hundred hymns, had a penchant for incorporating strong theology into his hymns. Consequently, his hymns not only entertain; they also teach. Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts includes a hymn for almost every book of Psalms. (And for many chapters, it has several hymns.) It also has four hundred additional hymns and spiritual songs, broadly arranged in three categories--hymns from Scripture, hymns on "Divine Subjects," and hymns for communion. It also contains many of Watt's more popular hymns--for example, "Joy to the World" and "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." Many have found it pleasurable to read Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts alongside their devotions. Come read and enjoy the wonderful hymns by the "Father of English Hymns!"

Tim Perrine
CCEL Staff Writer