Author: Isaac Watts

Publisher:

Published: 2016-10-31

Total Pages: 653

ISBN-13: 9780996824705

For 150 years, English Protestants had restricted themselves to singing only the Psalms in public worship, while poets and hymn writers wrote for private devotion. Isaac Watts was the catalyst and liberator who not only ushered hymn singing back into congregational life, but also insisted that the Psalms be sung in the light of the New Testament gospel. This volume brings together his two most famous collections, Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of the New Testament and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, including Watts' own interpretive footnotes, his explanatory prefaces, and a small set of tunes from the era. All together, these features represent Watts' masterpieces in a way that hasn't been seen in print since his death.These hymns have been pervasive through many movements of Christian worship, adapted into the "Dr. Watts" lined-out singing of the deep south, incorporated into shape-note tunebooks, set to enduring tunes by singing school, Sunday School, and gospel composers, and embraced by modern songwriters looking to set classic hymns to new music. On these pages, you will find timeless texts like "Joy to the world," "When I survey the wondrous cross," "I love the Lord, he heard my cries," and many others.