Praise ye the Lord; 'tis good to raise. J. Watts. [Ps. cxlvii.] First published in his Psalms of David, &c, 1719, p. 385, in 8 stanzas of 4 lines, and entitled "The Divine Nature, Providence, and Grace." It was included by J. Wesley in the first edition of his Psalms & Hymns, published in Charlestown, 1736-37, p. 10, with slight variations, the omission of st. ii., and the addition of Ken's doxology, "Praise God," &c. Further alterations were made by Wesley on adapting it for the Wesleyan Hymn Book, 1780, No. 216, and these latter readings are still retained in all collections of the Methodist bodies. The hymn in its original and altered forms is in extensive use. Original text in Watts's Psalms, late editions; Wesley's first reading in the reprint of 1736-37 Collection, London, 1882 ; and Wesley's final reading in the Wesleyan Hymn Book, 1875.
--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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