Google Preferred Sources
ForumsShare

This Week in Christian History: Popular Preacher Shoots a Man, Vatican and Nazis, Isaac Watts

By Michael Gryboski, Editor

Isaac Watts Born – July 17, 1674

Isaac Watts (1674-1748), notable English clergyman and hymn writer.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748), notable English clergyman and hymn writer. | (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

This week marks the anniversary of when Isaac Watts, one of the most famous hymnists in Protestant Christianity, was born in Southampton, Hampshire, England.

Widely considered the "Father of English Hymnody," Watts published his first collection of sacred music in 1706 and then released a book of hymns in 1707.

"At that time it was the practice of almost every congregation of the Church of England to sing only Old Testament psalms in their public worship," wrote Christian blogger Tim Challies in 2013.

"However, Watts had grown to dislike this because it restricted the Christian from being able to explicitly celebrate in song all those aspects of the gospel that are fulfilled and illuminated in the New Testament."

Watts wrote hundreds of songs, including notable ones like "O God, Our Help in Ages Past," "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," "We're Marching to Zion," and "Jesus Shall Reign."

Follow Michael Gryboski on Twitter or Facebook

Was this article helpful?

Become a CP Insider.
Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone.

The truth has a cost, and Insiders help carry it.
A dollar from an Insider comes with no strings attached. It keeps our reporters on the story, keeps our journalism open to everyone, and keeps every editorial decision in the newsroom, where it belongs.

Become a CP Insider and choose the amount you want to pay. You can change, pause or cancel anytime. As a thank-you, you’ll get:

  • The Insider Newsletter, a members-only monthly letter from our newsroom

  • Ad-free reading across christianpost.com


From as low as $8.25/month
Prefer to give once?

We’re sorry to hear that.

Hope you’ll give us another try and check out some other articles.
Return to homepage.

Most Popular