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2
Isaac Watts
3
1700 England
Calvin’s ideals were accepted practice
Church of England (Anglican) responseHymns despised – only Psalms acceptedHymns had bad associations
Linked with clamorous dissent, upstart separatistsLinked with religious enthusiasm, heresy
For 200 years could not sing about Jesus!
Reformation 1500s Watts 1700s
Calvin’s ideas win EnglandCalvinistic ideals - restrict music in church
No hymns – sang PsalmsNo cantatasNo instruments
won
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Calvin’s ideas win EnglandCalvinistic ideals - restrict music in church
No hymns – sang from book of PsalmsNo cantatasNo instruments
Luther nurtures great music in GermanyHymnsCantatasInstrumentsRhythm
One bold 20 year old poet challenges status-quoCaptivated England’s imaginationHis art is still powerful today
Poets writing original lyrics
Only Old Testament lyrics
England embroiled in controversy
What did he fight against?
5
1700 England
Negative Attitudes of fringe churches
Arminian Baptists / Quakers hostile to musicRejected singing in public worshipExcluded all song
Independent churches had no time for musicSermons were long, prayer was protracted
Others wanted some singing but…Questioned using hymn books
Can’t be spiritual and read at same time
Watts (poet & pastor) fought this restrictive mood
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Calvinists respond to question…
Why do you only sing settings of Psalms?
As churches coming out of the Protestant Reformation, we believe that our mode of worship is to be determined by the principles of Scripture.
God tells us in His Word, “Is any merry (cheerful)? let him sing psalms.” (James 5:13)
Further, Colossians 3:16 tells us to teach and admonish one another in “psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs.”
7
While we enjoy listening to non-inspired hymns on occasion in our homes and at choir programs,
we believe that in public worship we should use the songbook which God has given us in His inspired Word and which God has commanded us to sing.
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1700 England
Unrest & stirrings of change
Some hymn singing began around 1675Only in a few independent churches
Not in establishment churches and Anglican church
A few hymns were published by 169020 year old Isaac Watts criticized them
“poor poetry, bad rhythm, lacking dignity & beauty…”
His father said to him - write something betterHe did! Successfully challenged his world...became:
WROTE MANY CLASSIC HYMNS WE USE TODAY
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Precocious: avid reader, versifier
Born into a radical familyHis father: Congregational Church pastorTaught Isaac Latin at 4, Greek at 8, Hebrew at 11
New denomination – seeking legitimacySo they named their church
Father of English Hymnody
Isaac Watts
His father was imprisoned for his beliefsEnglishmen could be imprisoned or fined for:
Not attending the Anglican churchPreaching when not an authorized Anglican ministerAdministering the Lord’s Table
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His father was imprisoned for his beliefsEnglishmen could be imprisoned or fined for:
Not attending the Anglican churchPreaching, when being a non-conformist ministerAdministering the Lord’s Table
Contemporary of Bach, Handel
Born into a radical familyHis father belonged to Congregational Church
New denomination – seeking legitimacySo they named their church
Father of English Hymnody
Isaac Watts
Calvinistic in theologyHe also had a radical, clear, vision
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MetricalPsalms
ChristianizedPsalms
OriginalHymns
Isaac Watts
Watts’ “system of hymnology”
Two-prong approach1st – To Christianize the Metrical Psalms
Took what was already in use
Watts “converted David into a Christian”He wanted to “lift the veil of Moses”
These songs became the middle ground
2nd – Create original lyrics for new hymns
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Isaac Watts
Christianize the Metrical Psalms
Key: substitute NT terms and conceptsrestate in contemporary 18thC language
“Let David speak as if he lived in our time and were a Christian”
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When the Psalmist describes religion by the fear of God, I have often joined Faith and Love to it.
Isaac Watts
A free paraphrase - innovative approach
It is necessary to make David always speak the common sense of a Christian.
Where he talks of sacrificing goats and bullocks, I mention the sacrifice of Christ, the lamb of God.
When he attends the Ark with shouting in Zion, I sing the Ascension of my savior into heaven, or His presence in His Church on earth.
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Watts publishes a book (1719)
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Psalm paraphrase with NT teaching
Psalm 72Endow the king with your justice, O God…
He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon…
He will rule from sea to sea …
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Psalm paraphrase with NT teaching
Psalm 72Endow the king with your justice, O God…
He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon…
He will rule from sea to sea …
Jesus shall Reign #341Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
Doth his successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
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Becomes Most Famous Missions Hymn
Jesus shall ReignPeoples and realms of every tongue
Dwell on his love with sweetest song
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their earthly blessings on his name
21
Watt’s grandest psalm paraphrase
Psalm 90 (Moses) Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations…
from everlasting to everlasting you are God
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Watt’s grandest psalm paraphrase
Psalm 90 (Moses) Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations…
from everlasting to everlasting you are God
O God our help in Ages Past #84O God our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come;
Be Thou our guide while life shall last,
And our eternal home.
23
Watt’s grandest psalm paraphrase
Psalm 90 (Moses) Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the earth and the worldfrom everlasting to everlasting you are God
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Watt’s grandest psalm paraphrase
Psalm 90 (Moses) Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the earth and the worldfrom everlasting to everlasting you are God
O God our help in Ages Past #84Before the hills in order stood,Or earth received her frame;From everlasting Thou art God,To endless years the same.
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Watt’s grandest psalm paraphrase
Psalm 90 (Moses) For a thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night
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Watt’s grandest psalm paraphrase
Psalm 90 (Moses) For a thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night
O God our help in Ages Past #84A thousand ages in Thy sight,Are like an evening gone;Short as the watch that ends the night,Before the rising sun.
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Watt’s grandest psalm paraphrase
Psalm 90 (Moses) The length of our days is seventy years…
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
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Watt’s grandest psalm paraphrase
Psalm 90 (Moses) The length of our days is seventy years…
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
O God our help in Ages Past #84Time like an ever-rolling streamBears all our sons away;They fly, forgotten, as a dreamDies at the opening day
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O God Our Help in Ages Past
England’s favorite hymn – today
O God our help in ages pastOur hope for years to comeBe thou our guide While life shall lastAnd our eternal home
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O God Our Help in Ages Past
Refrain By Tommy Walker
O God our help in ages pastOur hope for years to comeBe thou our guide While life shall lastAnd our eternal home
RefrainO God, you are our helper (etc.)
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Believed music texts could be freely composed
Father of English Hymnody
Isaac Watts’ vision
Confined to Old Testament
Only recall information
Only useGod’s words to us
Include New Testament!
Also express our words to God
Also express our thoughts & feelings
32
Which side of the ledger are we on today?
Father of English Hymnody
Isaac Watts’ vision
Confined to Old Testament
Only recall information
Only useGod’s words to us
Include New Testament!
Also express our words to God
Also express our thoughts & feelings
33
Isaac Watts
Put his vision into words
Let’s consider Watts’ hymn (use 2 tunes)
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Called “the greatest hymn in the English language”By Matthew Arnold, the famous poet
Include New Testament!
Also express our words to God
Also express our thoughts & feelings
This hymn embodies Watts’ key principles:
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Isaac Watts #261
Put his vision into words
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Text by Isaac Watts (1707)
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
Include New Testament!
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Isaac Watts #261
Put his vision into words
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Text by Isaac Watts (1707)
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
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Isaac Watts
Explain the significance (Answers?)
“survey”
Deliberate, considered contemplation
“wondrous” cross
Irony: cross of torture becomes saving instrument
“Prince of Glory”
Christ: “Prince” in heaven before incarnation
“pour contempt”
Self achievements contemptible compared to Christ
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Isaac Watts
Purpose, Inspiration?
Written for Communion Service
Inspired by Galatians 6:14
May I never boast of anything
except the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, by which the world has been
crucified to me, and I to the world.
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Isaac Watts
Put his vision into words
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Text by Isaac Watts (1707)
Forbid it Lord that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God
All the vain things
That charm me most
I sacrifice them to his blood
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Isaac Watts
Put his vision into words
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Text by Isaac Watts (1707)
See from His
head,
His hands,His
feet,
Sorrow and love
flow mingled
down;
Also express our thoughts & feelings
Did e’er such love and sorrow
meet,Or thorns compose so rich a crown.
40
Isaac Watts
What makes this stanza poetic?
Look at the poetic images, metaphors
(One of most beautiful stanzas in all hymnody)
41
Isaac Watts
Put his vision into words
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Text by Isaac Watts (1707)
See from His
head,
His hands, His
feet,
Sorrow and love
flow mingled
down;
Also express our thoughts & feelings
Did e’er such love and sorrow
meet,Or thorns compose so rich a crown.
42
Isaac Watts
What makes stanza poetic?
Poetic imagery, metaphor!
Love & sorrow don’t physically flow
Love & sorrow don’t physically meet
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Isaac Watts
Put his vision into words
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Text by Isaac Watts (1707)
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small,Love so amazing, so divine,Demands my soul, my life, my all.
ClimacticStanza
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Isaac Watts
His Hymns are different than ours
Hymn writers typically wrote only the verses
Only the words- no tune and no chorus (refrain)
Any tune that fit/worked was borrowed
When I survey the Wondrous Cross
Verses only (no chorus!)
Modern chorus created: “O the Wonderful Cross”
Opportunity for us? Create a chorus!
Opportunity for us? Create/borrow a new melody!
Eg. 20thC tune: “The Water is Wide” (B Streisand)
Gospel Songs (19thC): words & tune wedded
45
Isaac Watts Questioned the balance
Shouldn’t hymn composition be as valued as
sermon preparation or preaching?
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Renowned theologian (29 treatises)
Wrote books on Grammar, Ethics, Psychology
His book on Logic (1724) Discusses reasoning, argumentation, syllogism
Standard text at Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Yale
for 100 years
He writes logical, syllogistic hymns
Father of English Hymnody
Isaac Watts
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Typical Plan for Hymns
Doctrine prioritized
Logical thought maintained
Truth expressed
1. Starts with Statement of Fact An Assertion of Faith or a Command
2. Ends with Call to Praise or to Conversion
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Watts wrote in his text on logic (1724)Reason is the glory of human
nature…the connection of truths should arise and appear in their successive ranks and order
Writes, At the Cross, a syllogistic hymnEach stanza logically builds on the others:1. My sin requires a sacrifice2. Christ’s sacrifice was made out of love3. I respond in thankfulness4. I respond in service
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Watt’s systematic theological thought
At the Cross #258
Alas! And did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die
Would he devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I
[For such a one as I]
[For sinners such as I]
My deplorable, sinful state
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Watt’s systematic theological thought
At the Cross #258
Was it for crimes that I have done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree
Christ, in love for me, sacrifices himself
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Watt’s systematic theological thought
At the Cross #258
Thus might I hide my blushing face
While his dear cross appears
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness
And melt my eyes in tears
Response: thankfulness
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Watt’s systematic theological thought
At the Cross #258
But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe
Here, Lord, I give myself away
Tis all that I can do
Response: desire to serve
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“Almost out of existence”
Isaac Watts
During his life time
Composed 600 hymns – rhymed theology
First published edition rejected
Did his best writing in his 20’s
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Isaac Watts
Influence in Britain and USAMost effective in Nonconformist churches
Gradually overcame their hymn prejudiceBut it took a long time
Much less effective in Anglican churchesIt took a long, long time for recognition
In USA - PopularDespite some of his paraphrase choices
He wrote England and Scotland for Israel and JudahHe wrote Great Britain for Canaan
So the colonies made their own changes
Even in Catholic hymnals today! His hymns remain favorites
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Influential in the USA
Jonathan Edwards, Whitfield revivals
Camp meetings
Second awakening (early 19th C)
Children’s songs (“Honey in the Rock”) First hymns written from child’s perspective
Adopted as primer for public schools
Black churches - enthusiastic receptionHis hymns embedded in black culture Highly ornamented using slower tempos “I love the Lord, he heard my voice”Hummed during pastoral prayers
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Isaac Watts
100 years after his death – Dominant!
Sold 60,000 hymnbooks yearly
Pastors gradually won overInsist on a Watts hymn before sermon
Write hymns themselves in Watt’s styleHundreds of pastors imitate him
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Watts and Theology
Watts took biblical doctrine as
Unassailable truth
58
Some Texts Strongly Calvinistic
Life, death, and hell
Hang on His sovereign decree
Chained to his throne a volume lies,
With the fates of men…
Drawn by the eternal pen.
Election to salvation and damnation!
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The Doctrine of Original Sin
Adam, our father and our head,Transgressed and doomed us dead,The fiery law speaks all despair,There’s no reprieve, no pardon there.
Lord I am vile, conceived in sin,And born unholy and unclean;Sprung from the man whose guilty fallCorrupts his race and taints us all.
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Isaac Watts: Hymn on God as Creator
I Sing the Mighty Power of God #31
I sing the mighty power of GodThat made the mountains riseThat spread the flowing seas abroadAnd built the lofty skiesI sing the wisdom that ordainedThe sun to rule the dayThe moon shines full at his commandAnd all the stars obey
61
Joy to the world the Lord is
come
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him
room
And heav’n nature sing
Watts on the Incarnation: a Carol
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Isaac Watts: Father of English Hymnody
Over 600 Hymns
Joy to the World
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
O God our Help in Ages Past
Jesus shall Reign
At the Cross
I Sing the Mighty Power of God
Am I a Soldier of the Cross
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Isaac Watts: Father of English Hymnody
Over 600 Hymns
His hymns are
Simple
Sensuous
Passionate!
64
Isaac Watts: Zealous
Am I a Soldier of the Cross #510
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the lamb?
And shall I fear to own his cause,
Or blush to speak his name?
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Isaac Watts: Marine imagery
Am I a Soldier of the Cross #510
Must I be carried to the skies
On flow’ry beds of ease,
While others fought to win the
prize,
And sailed thro’ bloody seas?
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Isaac Watts: Persevered despite resistance, frail health
Am I a Soldier of the Cross #510
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word
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Isaac Watts
AGrea
tGuy!
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Worship in the English language
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
1970
Metrical Psalms – imitating Geneva Psalter
Hymns – Watts −> Wesley
Worship Choruses
1850Gospel Songs Fanny Crosby
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Calvary Chapel
Hymn Meditation Assignment
Seat yourself in Calvary ChapelPeruse the Blue hymnbook table of contents, songsBrowse the back indexes (Scripture, Tune, Metrical, etc) for 10 minutesGo to Author Index
Choose a hymn text by Watts
Meditate on three of his texts
Assignment must take at least 30 minutesWrite up/turn in a one page report
What was your experience?Sign that you spent 30 minutes doing assignment
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Sunday Morning
Extra credit worship assignment
MeditateSeat yourself earlyLook at hymn index for Watts hymns
Meditate on the lyricsMeditate on a hymn by Watts, Wesley, or Crosby
Do this for 3 Sundays
Write up/turn in a one page reportWorth 3% extra credit
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Isaac Watts
Proposals for writing hymn texts
Address the fullness of revelationInclude the New Testament
Permit original lyrics
Reach out to the average person - his intent: “To write down to the level of vulgar capacities, to furnish hymns for the meanest of Christians”