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A Long Line of Godly Men Profile
The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts
In an age of simplistic and repetitive worship songs, the church must not forget Isaac Watts, “the Father of English Hymnody.” In this profile of the great hymn writer, Douglas Bond writes that Watts’ life and words can enrich the lives and worship of Christians today.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2013
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634 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Bond
80 books228 followersDouglas Bond, author of more than thirty books--several now in Dutch, Portuguese, Romanian, and Korean--is father of six, and grandfather of eleven--and counting--is Director for the Oxford Creative Writing Master Class and the Carolina Creative Writing Master Class, two-time Grace Award book finalist, adjunct instructor in Church history, recent advisory member to the national committee for Reformed University Fellowship, award-winning teacher, speaker at conferences, and leader of Church history tours in Europe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 23, 2014
This is the first book I've read from the Long Line of Godly Men profiles. It was also the first book I've read about Isaac Watts. I was familiar with a few of his hymns, but this book got me to dig in deeper and check out some less known hymns. I was fascinated to read about Watts, and the climate of the church in England during his life. One of my favorite parts of this book, was getting to read Isaac Watts first poem:
I am vile polluted lump of earth,
So I've continued since my birth
Although Jehovah grace does daily give me,
As sure this monster Satan will deceive me,
Come, therefore, Lord, from Satan's claws relive me.
Wash me in thy blood, O Christ,
And grace divine impart,
Then search and try the corners of my heart,
That I in all things may be fit to do
Service to thee, and sing thy praises too.
As you can see, it's an acrostic that spells out his name. He wrote this when he was six years old!
I am vile polluted lump of earth,
So I've continued since my birth
Although Jehovah grace does daily give me,
As sure this monster Satan will deceive me,
Come, therefore, Lord, from Satan's claws relive me.
Wash me in thy blood, O Christ,
And grace divine impart,
Then search and try the corners of my heart,
That I in all things may be fit to do
Service to thee, and sing thy praises too.
As you can see, it's an acrostic that spells out his name. He wrote this when he was six years old!
October 23, 2021
Well, I got this biography to learn about Isaac Watts not Bond's personal philosophy on worship music. Even though I agreed with much of what he had to say...it was a rant first and biography second.
While I learned a little about this man and his skills, I learned a lot more about Bond and his opinions.
While I learned a little about this man and his skills, I learned a lot more about Bond and his opinions.
February 4, 2015
I recommend The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts by Douglas Bond to any teen or adult who loves the hymns Watts wrote. It will also appeal to those interested in church music, poetry, British church history, and Christian biographies. I, myself, really appreciated learning how Watts saw Christ in all parts of the Bible and God in all parts of nature, and how he worked with words, rhymes, and rhythms to help others both see and feel the same.
For my complete review see: http://anniekateshomeschoolreviews.co...
For my complete review see: http://anniekateshomeschoolreviews.co...
March 11, 2021
i really knew very little about issac watts but after reading this book i definitely know so much more! it was a great reminder to realize that despite his great, well thought out, comforting but truthful hymns, many of his (and others) hymns are quickly being forgotten in our day. i love the way the author, douglas bond, writes. simple and straight the the point, but not in a boring way! definitely would recommend this book 👌🏼
October 1, 2024
“What about a Christian culture that abandons Watts? We should expect to continue to be cheated by raw emotion masquerading as spiritual light. I for one do not want for an instant to be thrilled with emotion, to become a junkie of my feelings, to be enslaved to raw passion—and tell myself it’s Christ with which I’m thrilled.
I don’t want a cheat. I want Christ.” (137).
The above summarizes a response I found myself vocalizing (with much less gravity and much more Cage Stage Seasoning, to my shame) early in my reforming of understanding of my Lord Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross.
The incredulity that swept over me when I discovered Watts’ “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross” still captivates me every time we stand to sing it on Sunday mornings.
Douglas Bond gives a fantastic overview of Watts’ life, and works, then moves to the significance of Watts’ gifts in crafting hymns that were saturated with doctrinal meat, yet ringing with poetic beauty.
(He also sold me on stocking our family bookshelves with anything Isaac Watts has produced.)
I don’t want a cheat. I want Christ.” (137).
The above summarizes a response I found myself vocalizing (with much less gravity and much more Cage Stage Seasoning, to my shame) early in my reforming of understanding of my Lord Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross.
The incredulity that swept over me when I discovered Watts’ “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross” still captivates me every time we stand to sing it on Sunday mornings.
Douglas Bond gives a fantastic overview of Watts’ life, and works, then moves to the significance of Watts’ gifts in crafting hymns that were saturated with doctrinal meat, yet ringing with poetic beauty.
(He also sold me on stocking our family bookshelves with anything Isaac Watts has produced.)
June 7, 2014
Watts is a great model of a man determined to preaching the gospel at all times using words. His vast collection of hymns and writing are the result of devotion and a Christ exalting heart. It is great to understand more of his story and reflect on how his words are relevant to our time.
March 13, 2025
I did not expect to be reading quotes from Walt Whitman and Little Richard in a biography about Isaac Watts, but sadly that wasn't the only issue with this book. The author frequently interjected his own opinions about other hymnwriters, modern hymnody, and other (semi) related topics. He repeated facts multiple times, some of them as often as every chapter. And there was far too much about CS Lewis' life and views of hymnody in the book, considering the two never even met.
Watts was a genius at distilling rich theological truths into singable poetry... there must be a better biography available than this one.
Watts was a genius at distilling rich theological truths into singable poetry... there must be a better biography available than this one.
April 10, 2020
One of the best biographies I’ve ever read! Not only was it a well-written account of the life of Watts but it was also excellent application of Christ centered worship for today’s church. A must read for teachers, parents, pastors, young people, worship leaders . . .
June 24, 2025
3.75⭐
March 24, 2023
I very much enjoyed this book. I’m working my way through this whole series. This one was really insightful in many ways.
January 17, 2021
This biography of Isaac Watts makes me appreciate his wonderful hymns all the more. He was first a theologian but also a gifted poet who strove to express profound theological truths in verse for the church to be able to sing in worship to God. The author of this biography gives us insight into Watts’ influences and the surrounding culture of the time. He also challenges current day believers not to trade in these timeless and theologically rich hymns for more modern songs.
January 29, 2016
One of the things I am most grateful to my parents for is that they put Christian biographies in my hand from a young age. It has really made me much of the man I am, and given to me a love for history, and learning from men and women who have “gone before”. Thus, a regular part of my reading diet is biography. I recently went through Douglas Bond’s short biography of Isaac Watts (The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts), and wanted to share several of the gems I gleaned from it.
Ligonier has published a whole series of biographies on godly men called “A Long Line of Godly Men”(http://www.ligonier.org/store/collect...). This is the first one I’ve read, but I am eager to go through more of them.
Bond skillfully makes Watts life, ministry and work very accessible to the lay reader. Watts was born into a rich legacy of faithfulness to Scripture above all else; when he was born his father was in prison, for refusing to conform to the Anglican church. Thus, from an early age he learned from his Father to obey God rather than men. Watts’ father instructed his children: “Do not entertain any hard thoughts of God or of His ways, because His people are persecuted for them; for Jesus Christ Himself was persecuted to death by wicked men, for preaching the truth and doing good; and the holy apostles and prophets were cruelly used for serving God in His own way.”
Further, his father gave the best gift a father can give, a love God’s Word: “Let all the knowledge and learning you attain by other books, both at school and at home, be improved as servants to help you the better to understand God’s Word. The sum of all the counsel I can give you is contained in that blessed Word of God.” Summed up in these two quotes from Watts’ father is really the bedrock that every child needs: first, obey God, no matter the consequences, and secondly, submit everything to the authority of God’s Word.
Watts was an incredible smart and learned man, but for all his learning he aimed to maintain a Christ-centered, Christ-honoring focus. This is a keen lesson which our modern generation must learn: Christ is central. Whenever the center is removed, things fall a part, which is precisely what is happening in our day and age. The answer is not more garbled and senseless worship songs that cater to mushy brains and calloused hearts. Instead, we need what Watts offered the church: sharp truths that cut through our sinfulness and pride, and leaves us in wonder of the marvelous glory of Christ.
Douglas Bond makes a wonderful statement in regards to the need in the church and in the individual believer’s life for Christ centered, Christ exalting worship: “I for one do not want for an instant to be thrilled with emotion, to become a junkie of my feelings, to be enslaved to raw passion— and tell myself it’s Christ with which I’m thrilled. I don’t want a cheat. I want Christ.”
Bond, rightly, recognizes that as the modern church has left off singing doctrinally sound, theologically rich, poetically vibrant, melodically meaningful hymns it has consequently become rather irrelevant to the culture. Ironically, in the modern church’s aim to be “relevant” to the culture it has, in fact, become so much like the world so as to be unrecognizable as a gathering of the people of the Kingdom of Christ. Our songs have become more about us worshipping God, than they are about worshipping God. Watts gave something precious to the church of his generation: theologically rich and poetically vibrant hymns about the glorious Gospel of Christ. We would do well to return to learn a thing or two from Watts and other faithful saints like him, and aim to write lasting hymns for future Christian generations.
Bond summarizes this need well: “As we flounder about in the “liturgical fidget” of the contemporary church, Watts can provide both the theological and liturgical ballast Christian worship so desperately needs. And he can give us an emotional rudder, a means of steering the passions in worship by objective propositional truth feelingly delivered. Without such a rudder, worship is shipwrecked on the shoals of cheap-trick emotionalism generated in much the same way it is at a concert or a football game. Tragically, in place of singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in worship to Jesus Christ (Col. 1: 16– 17), raw feelings of having done so may be supplanting the real thing.”
I’d highly recommend this biography to everyone, but especially those who are worship leaders, pastors, or church leaders. It is a rather short and sweet biography, and a very enjoyable read.
Ligonier has published a whole series of biographies on godly men called “A Long Line of Godly Men”(http://www.ligonier.org/store/collect...). This is the first one I’ve read, but I am eager to go through more of them.
Bond skillfully makes Watts life, ministry and work very accessible to the lay reader. Watts was born into a rich legacy of faithfulness to Scripture above all else; when he was born his father was in prison, for refusing to conform to the Anglican church. Thus, from an early age he learned from his Father to obey God rather than men. Watts’ father instructed his children: “Do not entertain any hard thoughts of God or of His ways, because His people are persecuted for them; for Jesus Christ Himself was persecuted to death by wicked men, for preaching the truth and doing good; and the holy apostles and prophets were cruelly used for serving God in His own way.”
Further, his father gave the best gift a father can give, a love God’s Word: “Let all the knowledge and learning you attain by other books, both at school and at home, be improved as servants to help you the better to understand God’s Word. The sum of all the counsel I can give you is contained in that blessed Word of God.” Summed up in these two quotes from Watts’ father is really the bedrock that every child needs: first, obey God, no matter the consequences, and secondly, submit everything to the authority of God’s Word.
Watts was an incredible smart and learned man, but for all his learning he aimed to maintain a Christ-centered, Christ-honoring focus. This is a keen lesson which our modern generation must learn: Christ is central. Whenever the center is removed, things fall a part, which is precisely what is happening in our day and age. The answer is not more garbled and senseless worship songs that cater to mushy brains and calloused hearts. Instead, we need what Watts offered the church: sharp truths that cut through our sinfulness and pride, and leaves us in wonder of the marvelous glory of Christ.
Douglas Bond makes a wonderful statement in regards to the need in the church and in the individual believer’s life for Christ centered, Christ exalting worship: “I for one do not want for an instant to be thrilled with emotion, to become a junkie of my feelings, to be enslaved to raw passion— and tell myself it’s Christ with which I’m thrilled. I don’t want a cheat. I want Christ.”
Bond, rightly, recognizes that as the modern church has left off singing doctrinally sound, theologically rich, poetically vibrant, melodically meaningful hymns it has consequently become rather irrelevant to the culture. Ironically, in the modern church’s aim to be “relevant” to the culture it has, in fact, become so much like the world so as to be unrecognizable as a gathering of the people of the Kingdom of Christ. Our songs have become more about us worshipping God, than they are about worshipping God. Watts gave something precious to the church of his generation: theologically rich and poetically vibrant hymns about the glorious Gospel of Christ. We would do well to return to learn a thing or two from Watts and other faithful saints like him, and aim to write lasting hymns for future Christian generations.
Bond summarizes this need well: “As we flounder about in the “liturgical fidget” of the contemporary church, Watts can provide both the theological and liturgical ballast Christian worship so desperately needs. And he can give us an emotional rudder, a means of steering the passions in worship by objective propositional truth feelingly delivered. Without such a rudder, worship is shipwrecked on the shoals of cheap-trick emotionalism generated in much the same way it is at a concert or a football game. Tragically, in place of singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in worship to Jesus Christ (Col. 1: 16– 17), raw feelings of having done so may be supplanting the real thing.”
I’d highly recommend this biography to everyone, but especially those who are worship leaders, pastors, or church leaders. It is a rather short and sweet biography, and a very enjoyable read.
April 18, 2019
I am telling my age when I say that I grew up singing hymns. And I still miss them. Watts is well-known for the standards "O God Our Help in Ages Past,"When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", and especially, "Joy to the World! The Lord is Come."
I appreciated how Bond set Watts in the context of his culture by listing contemporaries such as Samuel Johnson, Blaise Pascal, Jonathon Edwards, John Wesley, Alexander Pope, John Newton, etc. He tells of those who loved Watts hymns and those who hated them (George MacDonald called them drivel.)
Some of Bond's observations seemed a little forced. "The congregation would not have sung this hymn to John Darwall's excellent tune; it was not written until 1770. But if they had heard "Darwall," I am convinced they would have wanted to sing Watt's text to it." (p. 64) And this one seemed particularly thoughtless: "It is very difficult to sing bad theology. Knowing that what one is putting down with the pen will be taken up on the lips of worshipers acts as a corrective to flawed theology." (p. 74) The hundreds of really bad choruses that we sing each Sunday prove this false.
One more oddity was Bond's continuous bashing of Arminians who he feels are incapable of singing Watt's hymns. All the best ones are in the Methodist hymnal I grew up with, so that didn't make much sense to me. I cringed when he wrote that "Watts believed Calvinism was worth singing about" because it is clear from the rest of the book that it was the GOSPEL that Watts loved to write and preach about.
Still, I enjoyed this brief look into the life of Isaac Watts and added ten more books to my TBR list via Bond's extensive bibliography. I am also grateful to Bond for introducing me to the concept of line singing.
I appreciated how Bond set Watts in the context of his culture by listing contemporaries such as Samuel Johnson, Blaise Pascal, Jonathon Edwards, John Wesley, Alexander Pope, John Newton, etc. He tells of those who loved Watts hymns and those who hated them (George MacDonald called them drivel.)
Some of Bond's observations seemed a little forced. "The congregation would not have sung this hymn to John Darwall's excellent tune; it was not written until 1770. But if they had heard "Darwall," I am convinced they would have wanted to sing Watt's text to it." (p. 64) And this one seemed particularly thoughtless: "It is very difficult to sing bad theology. Knowing that what one is putting down with the pen will be taken up on the lips of worshipers acts as a corrective to flawed theology." (p. 74) The hundreds of really bad choruses that we sing each Sunday prove this false.
One more oddity was Bond's continuous bashing of Arminians who he feels are incapable of singing Watt's hymns. All the best ones are in the Methodist hymnal I grew up with, so that didn't make much sense to me. I cringed when he wrote that "Watts believed Calvinism was worth singing about" because it is clear from the rest of the book that it was the GOSPEL that Watts loved to write and preach about.
Still, I enjoyed this brief look into the life of Isaac Watts and added ten more books to my TBR list via Bond's extensive bibliography. I am also grateful to Bond for introducing me to the concept of line singing.
December 22, 2023
It is incredible with the Lord can do with a man who has a loyalty to God’s calling, a love for the work of Christ, and a passion to know Him through his word better. Thank the Lord for men like Isaac Watts!
Order my footsteps by Thy Word and make my heart sincere; let sin have no dominion, Lord, but keep my conscience clear.
-Isaac Watts
Order my footsteps by Thy Word and make my heart sincere; let sin have no dominion, Lord, but keep my conscience clear.
-Isaac Watts
February 4, 2016
Douglas Bond's "The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts" is a very simple introduction to the pastor and poet, who exemplified godliness and giftedness in being a hymn writer.
The book borders on being simplistic and hagiographic. The sense from the author is that, of course someone would attempt to make the Psalms Christian without delving into why this is might not be a good idea. Also, if Watts had any significant flaws or mistakes in his life, they do not come under consideration.
The author adopts both a dismissive tone towards those who seem to have followed in Watts' footsteps and those who would disagree with Watts' project in the first place. The contemporary song writer who might very well see his task of taking unsingable ancient music and adapting it for a modern, less stuffy age is dismissed in the preface. The convinced and convicted exclusive Psalmist is dismissed in the last chapter.
It is hard to see in this book much of a place for modern hymnody or, even less, a place for the singing of metrical psalms. While much of Watts' work is beautiful and valuable, this book presented Watts as the pinnacle to which all others must aspire, even if they, by chance or skill, do surpass him.
In short, it was the Psalms which fed Isaac Watts' devotion to Christ but which have been replaced by imitations and even imitations of imitations. From the conclusion: "As we flounder about in the 'liturgical fidget' of the contemporary church, Watts can provide both the theological and liturgical ballast Christian worship so desperately needs. And he can give us an emotional rudder, as a means of steering the passions in worship by objective propositional truth feelingly delivered."
It is Watts, not David who can do this.
The book borders on being simplistic and hagiographic. The sense from the author is that, of course someone would attempt to make the Psalms Christian without delving into why this is might not be a good idea. Also, if Watts had any significant flaws or mistakes in his life, they do not come under consideration.
The author adopts both a dismissive tone towards those who seem to have followed in Watts' footsteps and those who would disagree with Watts' project in the first place. The contemporary song writer who might very well see his task of taking unsingable ancient music and adapting it for a modern, less stuffy age is dismissed in the preface. The convinced and convicted exclusive Psalmist is dismissed in the last chapter.
It is hard to see in this book much of a place for modern hymnody or, even less, a place for the singing of metrical psalms. While much of Watts' work is beautiful and valuable, this book presented Watts as the pinnacle to which all others must aspire, even if they, by chance or skill, do surpass him.
In short, it was the Psalms which fed Isaac Watts' devotion to Christ but which have been replaced by imitations and even imitations of imitations. From the conclusion: "As we flounder about in the 'liturgical fidget' of the contemporary church, Watts can provide both the theological and liturgical ballast Christian worship so desperately needs. And he can give us an emotional rudder, as a means of steering the passions in worship by objective propositional truth feelingly delivered."
It is Watts, not David who can do this.
November 10, 2015
The concept for the series is decent, but I have found the content lacking. In this particular book, there were some good sections introducing one to Watts' "poetic wonder" in his hymns, as well as some of his other work and life story. However, there were annoying instances of Watts' hymns being broken up by commentary every four lines, which was just the author restating Watts' verse in prose with some different words. Perhaps intended to explain the language to a contemporary audience less familiar with Watts' language, it nevertheless had the effect of detracting from Watts' poetry, an effect rather contrary to the intent of the book. As with other books in the series, one frequently has the impression that the men profiled in the series are used more as a convenient springboard for discussion of issues and perspectives held by the author, rather than truly relating to the beliefs, theology, or life of the subject themselves and the world they lived in.
July 13, 2016
A biography of the author of some of my most favorite hymns
Isaac Watts is known for the hymns he penned, such as, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, Joy to the World, and many others. I knew nothing about him before reading this fairly short book, but I now desire to read more of his work because his poetry regarding our most amazing Savior is rich, deeply full of meaning, and thought provoking. He started by writing the Psalms for the modern worshippers, but in the process, wrote hymns for children, and was considered the Father of Hymnody. His life was difficult due to health reasons and due to his rejection of the Anglican Church. His lessons left through poetry, lyrics, and sermons are masterful. If you are interested in the man behind the songs, or in the history of musical worship, this would be a great book to read.
Isaac Watts is known for the hymns he penned, such as, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, Joy to the World, and many others. I knew nothing about him before reading this fairly short book, but I now desire to read more of his work because his poetry regarding our most amazing Savior is rich, deeply full of meaning, and thought provoking. He started by writing the Psalms for the modern worshippers, but in the process, wrote hymns for children, and was considered the Father of Hymnody. His life was difficult due to health reasons and due to his rejection of the Anglican Church. His lessons left through poetry, lyrics, and sermons are masterful. If you are interested in the man behind the songs, or in the history of musical worship, this would be a great book to read.
August 19, 2014
I had no idea Isaac Watts had written so many hymns that we still sing some 250 years later. I was fascinated by this focus on his poetic wonder (and what a poetic wonder it is!)
That said, my hesitations fall within the realm of thinking you're getting something you're not. This book is a dense read, something along the lines of Bonhoeffer, by Eric Metaxas, though not as long; it had me wondering at times if this was a dissertation modified for more classic consumption.
It also seemed that a large section of his life went missing, but my expectations may be off, since this wasn't meant to be a true biography.
All in all, I am inspired to look more deeply into hymnology, and appreciate more deeply Watts' emphatic belief that theology should always preclude doxology.
That said, my hesitations fall within the realm of thinking you're getting something you're not. This book is a dense read, something along the lines of Bonhoeffer, by Eric Metaxas, though not as long; it had me wondering at times if this was a dissertation modified for more classic consumption.
It also seemed that a large section of his life went missing, but my expectations may be off, since this wasn't meant to be a true biography.
All in all, I am inspired to look more deeply into hymnology, and appreciate more deeply Watts' emphatic belief that theology should always preclude doxology.
December 28, 2013
Even though I only rated this 3 stars, I do highly recommend this book. It's a great overview of Isaac Watts' life and music. He may be my favorite hymn writer, although Charles Wesley is pretty hard to beat. The only reason I didn't rate it higher is because of how Douglas Bond sometimes comes across a bit high-handed in his criticism of contemporary worship or anyone who messes with Watts' hymns. He also seemed overly defensive regarding some criticism C.S. Lewis gave regarding church music (of which he never specifically singled out Watts). Overall, I think Bond does a good job and I have enjoyed his writing in other books such as the Mr Pipes series.
July 26, 2016
I reserve five stars for those books that really strike a chord, are wonderfully written, and deal in some way with redemptive values. In The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts, we learn about a poet who has greatly influenced the Christian Church with his hymns, which are not based solely on emotion or wacky spirit-filled passion. Watts writes from the head knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel, the true words of the Scriptures, and from that flows beautiful passion-filled poetry, devotion, and praise. I loved this book! I think everyone should read it. This is poet we can truly aspire to imitate.
January 16, 2018
Highly readable -- and enjoyable -- biography of the "Father of English Hymnody," with discussions of different aspects of Watts's work -- as a pastor, as an educator of children, as a poet. At first, I was troubled by author's propensity for breaking down the 'fourth wall,' in inviting readers, for example, to imagine what it might have been like to be Watts -- a short, geeky, rather ugly man. But I gradually realized that this was part of Bond's purpose: to make Watts real to contemporary readers, as well as an exemplar of godly living to follow. In short, I loved this book -- and found my already strong admiration for Isaac Watts further strengthened.
November 25, 2020
I grew up singing hymns, many of which were written by this amazing man. We have a need to get back to theological soundness in what we are singing at church. Douglas Bond (the author) mentions the lack of focus on God and his attributes in modern church music, dubbing it "nightclub liturgy" while giving an insight into the theologically deep hymns written by Watts.
As a great man once said, it is just as big a sin to SING a lie as it is to speak one. Watts wrote music that worshiped his creator, not the creation.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially to any pastors or worship leaders.
As a great man once said, it is just as big a sin to SING a lie as it is to speak one. Watts wrote music that worshiped his creator, not the creation.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially to any pastors or worship leaders.
May 31, 2014
The author is by no means neutral when it comes to his writing about Isaac Watts. While it was interesting to read how Watts' faith and experience shaped his writing, it seemed as though Mr. Bond doth cheer too much. I find many of Isaac Watts' hymns inspiring, but not all. It was an interesting, but a bit dry, read. I also got the feeling that the author felt it was his duty to come to the hymn writer's defense a little too often. I am glad I read it, though, as it gave me insight into Watt's hymnody.
May 17, 2014
This book was the perfect length (for me) on the life and work of Watts - not too long, and not too short. Plus it was written by someone who clearly loves Watts' hymns and is convinced the church's worship would be enriched by them.
Perhaps best of all this book renewed my love of Watts' hymns and introduced me to one I hadn't heard before but now love: "There is a Land of Pure Delight." A worthy read.
Perhaps best of all this book renewed my love of Watts' hymns and introduced me to one I hadn't heard before but now love: "There is a Land of Pure Delight." A worthy read.
December 12, 2014
A fine introduction to the life and hymnody of Isaac Watts. My one concern is the notion that if the church were to get back to robust hymn singing most of its ails would be taken care of, as Bond says in the last chapter, if we sing more of Watts we will become more like Watts (my paraphrase). If this argument were true, I would suggest (in fact I do suggest) that churches sing the Psalms. What better word to sing than the Word of Scripture?
May 20, 2014
Heavy handed comments from the author in the first few chapters were an unnecessary turn-off with this book. However, as the book progressed the information on Watts was enjoyable to learn. The Author's added opinions distracted from what could have been obvious to anyone just by reading what Watts so clearly believed himself- Watts life and work said it much kinder i.e. with poetic eloquence...
May 22, 2014
A very interesting study in the life and work of Isaac Watts. The author may over emphasize Watt's hymns for English believers (and at times almost elevated them to a realm associated with Scripture) but otherwise explains what makes Watt's poetry so unique. I gained a much better appreciation for Watt's work. Recommended.
June 11, 2014
Douglas Bond in this book surveys the life of Watts. He also notes Watts' influence in history as well as points out the need of Watts' Theologically Rooted Poetic Wonder and the need for it in the life of churches today. I enjoyed learning more about this beloved saint and hymn writer as there are many of Watts hymns which I cherish. An easy read for both pastors/elders as well as laypeople.
July 12, 2014
A good short biography of Isaac Watts, the father of English hymnody. I have very much appreciated Watts's hymns, and this book was helpful for getting a better idea of Watts's life, context, and person. The book is not able to go in-depth about its subject, but it does explore Watts relevance for today.
August 27, 2014
why does theological sound always relate to emotionless dullness? Issac Watts as the book written introduced a poetic world that is rich in creative imagination that focus on the timeless truth of the scripture. The book certainly did a good job in introducing the life and work of Issac Watts, but it leave some unanswered questions.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews