2 isaac watts 3 1700 england calvin’s ideals were accepted practice church of england (anglican)...

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Isaac Watts

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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?

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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.”

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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


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

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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

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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.

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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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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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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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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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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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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


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

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Which side of the ledger are we on today?


Isaac Watts’ vision

Confined to Old Testament

Only recall information

Only useGod’s words to us




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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




This hymn embodies Watts’ key principles:

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Isaac Watts #261


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 #261



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



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



See from His

head,

His hands,His

feet,

Sorrow and love

flow mingled

down;


Did e’er such love and sorrow

meet,Or thorns compose so rich a crown.

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Isaac Watts

What makes this stanza poetic?

Look at the poetic images, metaphors

(One of most beautiful stanzas in all hymnody)

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Isaac Watts



See from His

head,

His hands, His

feet,

Sorrow and love

flow mingled

down;


Did e’er such love and sorrow

meet,Or thorns compose so rich a crown.

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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



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

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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


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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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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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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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

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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

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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!

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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


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


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”

2 isaac watts 3 1700 england calvin’s ideals were accepted practice church of england (anglican)...

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