Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

Isaac Watts from The National Portrait GalleryIsaac Watts (1674-1748) was an English hymnwriter, non-conformist minister and theologian born in Southamption, who wrote some 750 hymns.  Often is recognised as the “Father of English Hymnody”, as he was the first prolific and popular English hymn writer, credited with some 750 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in active use today and have been translated into many languages.

Watts was brought up in the home of a committed Nonconformist — his father, also called Isaac, had been gaoled twice for his religious  views.

The younger Isaac was educated at King Edward VI School and leart the classics, Latin, Greek and Hebrew. He showed an early propensity for rhyme.

Being non-conformist, Watts went to the Dissenting Academy at Stoke Newington in 1690. His education led him to the pastorate of a large Independent Chapel in London, and he also found himself in the position of helping trainee preachers.

Taking work as a private tutor, he lived with the Hartopp family at Fleetwood House and later in the household of Sir Thomas Abney and Lady Mary Abney. Though a non-conformist himself, Sir Thomas practised occasional conformity to the Church of England as necessitated by his being Lord Mayor of London 1700–01. Likewise Isaac Watts held religious opinions that were more non-denominational or ecumenical than was at that time common for a non-conformist; having a greater interest in promoting education and scholarship, than preaching for any particular ministry.

On the death of Sir Thomas Abney, Watts moved permanently with widow, Lady Mary Abney, to Abney House, in Stoke Newington. The beautiful grounds at Abney Park led down to an island heronry in the Hackney Brook where Watts sought inspiration for the many books and hymns written during these two decades. He died there in Stoke Newington and was buried in Bunhill Fields, having left behind him a massive legacy.

O God Our Help In Ages Past
Hymn / Baroque / CM / General / Isaac Watts (1674-1748) / Lower Key / O God Our Help In Ages Past / Psalm 90 / Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday / St Anne / TBR / William Croft (1678-1727) / Year A Holy Name Of Jesus Or Naming And Circumcision Of Jesus / Year A Lent 2 / Year A Proper 16, Ordinary 21, Trinity 11, Pentecost 13 / Year A Proper 17, Ordinary 22, Trinity 12, Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost / Year A Proper 19, Ordinary 24, Trinity 14 / Year A Proper 25, Ordinary 30, Trinity 20 / Year A Proper 27, Ordinary 32, 3rd Sunday Before Advent / Year A Proper 28, Ordinary 33, Second Sunday Before Advent / Year A Second Sunday Before Advent / Year A Trinity Sunday / Year B Proper 23, Ordinary 28, Trinity 19 / Year B Proper 9, Ordinary 14, Trinity 5 / Year C Epiphany 4 - Presentation of Christ in the Temple / Year C Feast Of Christ The King / Year C Proper 23, Ordinary 28, Trinity 17

O God Our Help In Ages Past (Saint Anne, Organ and Descant, 6 Verses) Free Download

This recording of O God Our Help In Ages Past  has been made to accompany singers in Church Services. O

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When I Survey The Wondrous Cross
Hymn / Anonymous / Classic Hymns for Lent and Passiontide / Edward Miller (1735 - 1807) / Good Friday / Holy Week Monday / Holy Week Tuesday / Holy Week Wednesday / Isaac Watts (1674-1748) / Lent / LM (88 88) / Passiontide / Rockingham / Video / Year A Epiphany 3 / Year A Epiphany 5 / Year A Palm Sunday - Liturgy of The Palms and Liturgy of The Passion / Year A Proper 22, Ordinary 27, Trinity 17 / Year B Lent 2 / Year B Lent 3 / Year B Palm Sunday - Liturgy of The Palms and Liturgy of The Passion / Year B Proper 19, Ordinary 24, Trinity 15 / Year B Proper 24, Ordinary 29, Trinity 20 / Year B Proper 27, Ordinary 32, Third Sunday Before Advent / Year B Proper 9, Ordinary 14, Trinity 5 / Year C Easter 6 - Sixth Sunday of Easter / Year C Lent 5 - Passion Sunday / Year C Palm Sunday - Liturgy of The Palms and Liturgy of The Passion / Year C Proper 11, Ordinary 16, Trinity 5 / Year C Proper 13, Ordinary 18, Trinity 7 / Year C Proper 9, Ordinary 14, Trinity 3

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross (Rockingham, Organ, 4 Verses)

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross : Recordings Tune: Rockingham by an anonymous composer adapted by Edward Miller (1735 –

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Give Us The Wings Of Faith
Hymn / 77 77 / All Souls' Day / Anonymous / Edmund Prys (1544-1623) / Funeral / General / Holy Week Wednesday / Isaac Watts (1674-1748) / Psalm 42 / Psalm 6 / Salmau Cân (1621) / Song 67 / Traditional Welsh / Year A Advent 4 / Year A Christmas 2 / Year B Christmas 2 / Year B Epiphany 2 / Year B Epiphany 5, 2nd Sunday Before Lent / Year C All Saints' Day / Year C Christmas 2 / Year C Easter 4 / Year C Proper 15, Ordinary 20, Trinity 9 / Year C Proper 22, Ordinary 27, Trinity 16 / Year C Proper 7, Ordinary 12, Trinity 1 / Year C Proper 8, Ordinary 13, Trinity 2

Give Us The Wings Of Faith (Song 67, Organ, 5 Verses)

Give Us The Wings Of Faith : Recording Tune: Song 67, traditional Welsh, composer unknown. Melody from Edmund Prys’ (1544-1623)

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Joy To The World
Hymn / Antioch / Carols / Christmas Joy - Beloved Carols For Church and Singers / CM / Easter Sunday / Georg Friderich Händel (1695-1759) / Hymns For Easter / Isaac Watts (1674-1748) / stephen / Year A Advent 3 / Year A Epiphany 1 (Baptism of The Lord) / Year B Advent 1 / Year B Proper 25, Ordinary 30, Trinity 21, Last After Trinity / Year C Advent 4

Joy To The World (Antioch, Organ and Trumpet Descant, 3 Verses)

From the album Christmas Joy – Beloved Carols for Church and Singers, also available on CD. Joy To The World

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