Join all the glorious Names. J. Watts. [Names and Titles of Jesus Christ.] Published in his Hymns & Sacred Songs, 1709, Book i., No. 150, in 12 stanzas of 8 lines, as the second of two hymns on "The Offices of Christ, from several Scriptures." It has been freely altered, abbreviated, and divided from M. Madan's Psalms & Hymns 1760, to the present time. The line which has caused most trouble to the editors has been stanza x., line 1, "My dear, Almighty Lord," the term "dear" being very objectionable to many. The line has undergone the following amongst other changes:—
1760. M. Madan. "Thou dear Almighty Lord."
1769. Ash & Evans. "My great Almighty Lord."
1830. Wesleyan Hymn Book "O Thou Almighty Lord."
1833. Bickersteth. "Divine Almighty Lord."
1835. H. V. Elliott. "Almighty, Sovereign Lord."
1851. J. H. Gurney. “Almighty, gracious Lord."
1858. Baptist Psalms & Hymns. "My Saviour and my Lord."
1876. Presbyterian Hymnal. "Jesus, Almighty Lord."
To this list may be traced most of the changes found in modern hymn-books. There are others also of less importance. In addition to abbreviations which begin with the original first line, there are also the following centos:—
1. Arrayed in mortal flesh. This was given in H. Conyers's Collection, 1774, in 5 stanzas, and in other hymn-books.
2. Great Prophet of my God. In Alford's Year of Praise, 1867, &c.
3. Jesus, my Great High Priest. This, in Spurgeon's Our Own Hymn Book, 1866, is composed of stanzas viii., vi., and ix. of this hymn, and stanza vi.," Immense compassion reigns," from No. 148 of Book i. of Watts's Hymns, "With cheerful voice I sing."
4. My dear Almighty Lord. In Spurgeon's Our Own Hymn Book, 1866, No. 372.
The original hymn is justly regarded as one of Watts's finest efforts. In its various forms its use is extensive in most English-speaking countries. It has been translation in whole, or in part, into various languages, including Latin, in R. Bingham's Hymnologia Christiana Latina, 1870, as "Pange nomen omne mirum."
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >
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