Repeat the Sounding Joy

by David W Music

Isaac Watts is universally recognized as one of the greatest English-language hymn writers of the eighteenth century, the Golden Age of English Hymnody. Watts almost singlehandedly broke the monopoly of metrical psalm singing and practically invented the hymn form as it is known today. Some of his texts are among the most familiar hymns in Christendom, including When I Survey the Wondrous Cross and Joy to the World. This book begins with an introduction describing Watts's work and its importance, followed by chapters on each of his twenty-five most widely sung texts. Each hymn is presented in its full original form, with reflections and commentaries that are partly historical, partly analytical, and partly devotional. Particular attention is given to the meanings of the words as they were used by Watts, the scriptural backgrounds of the texts, and their relationship to other writings by the English author.

250 pages, Hardcover

Published November 2, 2020

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isaac Watts helped to move congregational singing from metrical psalms to hymnsinging that was "faithful to scripture, evangelical, expressive of personal faith, ecumenical, practical for congregational singing, liturgically appropriate, and of high quality" (9). After an introduction explaining how Watts's texts do all those things, the author provides close readings of 25 of Watts's best-known texts. Well-researched, thoughtful, carefully "surveying" the texts, the result are excellent literary and devotional readings. See also C. Michael Hawn's review in "The Hymn" vol. 73, no. 1 (Winter 2022).

[Carey Smoak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. David W. Music's book is about 25 hymns written by Isaac Watts. Watts wrote hymns like "Joy to the World." In some ways, Dr. Music's book is an academic treatment of these 25 hymns by Isaac Watts. He explains musical/poetical terms for the reader - like iambic meter. Where this book really excels is in linking Scripture to the words that Isaac Watts wrote for each of his hymns. Thus, one can come away with a deeper appreciation of the lyrics by Watts.