Behold what wondrous grace. I. Watts. [Adoption.] First published in his Hymns, &c, 1707 (2nd edition 1709, Book i., No. lxiv.), in 6 stanzas of 4 lines, and entitled "Adoption." In J. Wesley's Psalms & Hymns Charlestown, South Carolina, 1736-7, p. 19, it was given with alterations and the omission of stanza ii. Its modern use is limited in (x. Britain, but extensive in America. In the Draft Scottish Translations and Paraphrases, 1745, this text was given, as No. xxx., in 5 stanzas, in a recast form….
A comparison of this text with that authorized in the Translations, &c, of 1781, No. lxiii., and which may be found in any modern copy of the Scottish Psalms, &c, will shew at once how much the latter is indebted to the former; and how far both differ from Watts. By whom the 1745 recast was made is not known, but that of 1781, which has been in use in the Church of Scotland for 100 years, is claimed by W. Cameron (q.v.) as his.
-- Excerpts from 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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