Who was Isaac Watts?

Answer

Isaac Watts (1674—1748) was a renowned hymn writer, minister, and logician. His parents were Nonconformists, which meant they had separated from the Anglican Church of England. Watts’ father was frequently imprisoned for his beliefs. At a young age, Isaac Watts demonstrated his intelligence. He had knowledge of five languages by the age of 13, and he excelled in poetry. After studying at a Nonconformist college, he worked as a tutor before becoming the pastor of the Mark Lane Independent Chapel in London from 1698 to 1712.

Isaac Watts authored numerous books on theological subjects and works on reason and logic, including Logic, Or the Right Use of Reason in the Enquiry After Truth, which served as a standard text at Oxford University for many years. Watts is most famous for his hymns, such as “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” inspired by Galatians 6:14 and described as “the greatest hymn in the English language” by poet and critic Matthew Arnold. Some of Watts’ hymns were adaptations of the biblical psalms, like “Joy to the World,” derived from Psalm 98; “Jesus Shall Reign,” a rendition of Psalm 72; and “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” taken from Psalm 90. His other hymns include “At the Cross,” “Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed,” and “We’re Marching to Zion.” Watts also compiled a children’s hymnal, Divine and Moral Songs for Children, in 1715.

The groundbreaking hymns of Isaac Watts gained popularity in England, although they were not without controversy. During that era, churches typically sang metrical verses based on the book of Psalms, and some criticized Watts’ hymns as being of human origin rather than divinely inspired. His hymns became popular in America during the Great Awakening, as George Whitfield and Jonathan Edwards incorporated Watts’ hymns into their ministries.

Isaac Watts composed between 600 and 750 hymns, many of which are still sung in various Protestant denominations today. In his later years, Watts experienced health issues, and

Some of his theological positions caused confusion. Certain theological treatises by him contained unorthodox views regarding the personhood of Christ and the Holy Spirit. For example, in his work The Glory of Christ as the God-Man, Watts argued that Jesus’ human soul pre-existed before His incarnation (p. 153). Jonathan Edwards wrote a detailed refutation of Watts’ teachings (The “Miscellanies”, entries 1153–1360), even though he continued to use Watts’ hymns in his church.

Christians have cherished Isaac Watts’ hymns in worship since their creation, and these hymns still guide people to Christ and strengthen faith. Watts himself reflects on the significance of singing in worship: “While we sing the praises of God in His church, we are engaged in that aspect of worship which, of all others, is the closest resemblance to heaven” (from Hymns and Spiritual Songs).