Isaac Watts

1674–1748 · England · Baroque

Author

Isaac Watts (1674–1748), born in Southampton, England, is called the Father of English Hymnody. Dissatisfied with wooden metrical psalms, he revolutionized English worship by writing hymns based on but not restricted to scripture. He wrote over 750 hymns including O God Our Help in Ages Past, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, and Joy to the World. A Congregationalist minister of great scholarly ability, his work transformed the landscape of Christian hymnody.

Hymn Texts (37)