Hymn Story: I Sing the Mighty Power of God

Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts wrote I Sing the Mighty Power of God as a song for children. He originally titled the song “Praise for Creation and Providence”.

As a teenager, Watts complained to his father about how boring the songs of the day were. His father challenged him to write something better. Hence, a hymn writer was born. He would write at least 750 songs over the course of his life.

 In 1715 he published Divine and Moral Songs for Children, in the preface of which he wrote, “Children of high and low degree, of the Church of England or Dissenters, baptized in infancy or not, may all join together in these songs. And as I have endeavored to sink the language to the level of a child’s understanding . . . to profit all, if possible, and offend none.”

While Watts remained a lifelong bachelor, he had a great heart and love for children.

I Sing the Almighty Power of God is the only song in the children’s hymnal Watt’s published still sung today.

Watts is best remembered for such favorites as  “Joy to the World,” “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” and “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.”  He wrote hundreds of hymns and is often referred to as the Father of English-language hymnody.

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