"Divine Songs," the first part of this collection, was published in 1715. It was several years later when the "Moral Songs" were added. Isaac Watts points to Ephesians 5:19, to "teach and admonish one another by hymns and songs," as his motivation for writing the hymns. In the past, this song collection was very popular and the editions numbered in the hundreds. We are instructed by Isaac Watts, in his preface, to sing these songs with well-known psalm tunes that were popular in his day.
Isaac Watts is recognised as the "Father of English Hymnody", as he was the first prolific and popular English hymnwriter, credited with some 750 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in active use today and have been translated into many languages.
His education led him to the pastorate of a large Independent Chapel in London, and he also found himself in the position of helping trainee preachers, despite poor health. Taking work as a private tutor, he lived with the non-conformist Hartopp family at Fleetwood House, Abney Park in Stoke Newington, and later in the household of Sir Thomas Abney and Lady Mary Abney at Theobalds, Cheshunt, in Hertfordshire, and at their second residence, Abney House, Stoke Newington.
Though a non-conformist, Sir Thomas practised occasional conformity to the Church of England as necessitated by his being Lord Mayor of London 1700-01. Likewise, Isaac Watts held religious opinions that were more non-denominational or ecumenical than was at that time common for a non-conformist, having a greater interest in promoting education and scholarship, than preaching for any particular ministry.
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