Thee we adore, eternal Name. I. Watts. [Life frail, Eternity unending, or New Year.] First published in his Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1707 (2nd edition 1709, Bk. ii., No. 55), in 7 stanzas of 4 lines. It is found in a large number of hymnbooks in all English-speaking countries. The form of the text which is in the most extensive use is that given in the Psalms & Hymns of J. and C. Wesley in 1738, and continued in the revised edition of the Wesleyan Hymn Book, 1875, in which there are four slight changes from the original. The original came into use in the Church of England through M. Madan's Psalms & Hymns, 1760. In Dale's English Hymn Book, 1874, it begins with stanzas ii., “Our wasting lives grow shorter still.”
--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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