ISAAC WATTS: 17 July 1674 – 25 November 1748
Isaac Watts, a prolific and popular hymn writer, preacher and logicist, referred to as the father of English hymnody was born in Southampton England. The second of nine children of a Nonconformist, but devoted Christian (Isaac Watts). Isaac was a very precocious child and had started learning Latin by age four, Greek by age six, French by eleven and later Hebrew. He had a taste for verse and rhyming as a child.
As a nonconformist, Isaac could not attend Oxford or Cambridge Colleges as these were the exclusively reserved for members of the organised Anglican communion, so he entered a nonconformist Academy at Stoke Newington London in 1690.
As a nonconformist, Isaac could not attend Oxford or Cambridge Colleges as these were the exclusively reserved for members of the organised Anglican communion, so he entered a nonconformist Academy at Stoke Newington London in 1690.
Upon leaving the Academy at age twenty, Isaac spent the next two years at home as it was difficult for nonconformists to secure government positions in those days; it was during this period that he wrote most of some 750 hymns credited to him.
Watts later pastored a large independent church in London where he helped train preachers despite suffering poor health.
In early Christendom the PSALMS were sung inform of poetry and were affirmed in the biblical canon as part of the Old Testament. However, Watts in recognition of David, the author of most of the Psalms as a chosen instrument of God through whom the Messiah came, began to ‘renovate’ the Psalms to ‘imitate the language of the New Testament’. This led to the birth of many hymns with messages from the Psalms that reflect New Testament events/messages.
Notable among such hymns, JOY TO THE WORLD, first published in 1719 in Watts collection; The Psalms of David: imitated in the language of the New Testament and applied to the Christian state and worship has it’s theme in Psalm 98.
Watts wrote the words of ‘Joy to the World’ as a hymn glorifying Christ’s triumphant return at the end of the age, rather than a song celebrating His first coming. The Nations are called to celebrate because God’s faithfulness to the house of Israel has brought salvation to the world, Halleluyah!! Joy to the world is the most popular Advent song in the world, it’s appeal cuts across age, race and national divides.
Watts wrote the words of ‘Joy to the World’ as a hymn glorifying Christ’s triumphant return at the end of the age, rather than a song celebrating His first coming. The Nations are called to celebrate because God’s faithfulness to the house of Israel has brought salvation to the world, Halleluyah!! Joy to the world is the most popular Advent song in the world, it’s appeal cuts across age, race and national divides.
Let us be free to sing this beautiful song at all times, celebrating our eager expectation of His appearance the second time, not as a baby but as KING!! This was on Watt’s heart as he composed the lyrics of this song.
PRAYERS:
üDear Lord Jesus, thank you for coming the first time as a sacrifice to take away the sin of the whole world.
ü Lord, you are to appear a second time, NOT TO BEAR SIN, but to bring salvation to us who are waiting for you – Hebrews 9:28.
ü Please give me passion for souls, especially those who have been deluded to believe lies that there is forgiveness of sin beyond the grave, and that your return is to die afresh – Heb 9:27, 28, Acts 1: 9-11, 1Thess 4: 13-18.
ü Give me grace Oh Lord to prepare my heart to receive you. Help me not to lose my place in the company of those looking forward to your appearing.
ü Stanza 3 – Dear Lord, please help me to guard my heart with all diligence so that sins and sorrow will not grow thither nor thorns infest the heart that you once cleansed with your precious blood
üLord even as we await your appearing let your grace and truth be made manifest to the world through us to all the world, in our words, thought and action. Spread the wonders of your love (as a foretaste of what awaits the world at your return through me. Amen.
