Historical dictionary of sacred music

WATTS, ISAAC

(17 July 1674, Southampton, England – 25 November 1748, Stoke Newington)
Influential writer ofhymnsandpsalmparaphrases. His collectionThe Psalms of David Imitated in the Language{}of the New Testament(1719) consummated the movement away from literal psalm versifications towardmetrical psalmsmore appropriate forcongregationalsinging. Altering the text also allowed Watts to reinterpret the psalms in evangelical terms. Watts also publishedHorae Lyricae(1705) andHymns and Spiritual Songs(1707). (at)

  1. watts, isaac—father of modern Protestant hymnodystrong Isaac Watts was born in Southampton England. His father was a Puritan deacon who had at times been imprisoned for nonconformist...Encyclopedia of Protestantism