A hymnal without any hymns by Isaac Watts (1674-1748) would be a hymnal …. Well, such a hymnal would not exist! Known as “the father of English hymnody,” we are deeply indebted to him for the songs we bring to the Lord in worship. Look at the index of authors in any hymnal, and you will find Isaac Watts well-represented. Here are just a few: “Our God, Our Help in Ages Past,” “I Sing the Almighty Power of God,” “Joy to the World,” “Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed,” “Join All the Glorious Names,” “Come We That Love the Lord,” and even a setting of “The Beatitudes!”
Beginning with Psalms that he “re-wrote” to make Jesus and New Testament content more explicit (like “Jesus Shall Reign” – Psalm 72) to original hymns of the Savior (like “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”), we can sing all the Scriptures with depth and joy. He is one of the finest hymn writers in the history of Christian hymnody, combining rich doctrinal substance with splendid poetic excellence. He is recognized as one of the primary agents in the move from exclusive psalmody to “hymns of human composure,” as English hymnody came to be known.
Watts carefully chose the texts for his hymns. They were comprehensive in scope. For example, in “Joy to the World” we sing of events that affect all of creation: the world, earth, every heart, fields and floods, etc. Watts was totally committed to the Reformed faith and his hymns reflect this doctrinal perspective. He always directed attention to the person and work of Jesus Christ and was not content to speak in general terms about God and mercy.