Thoughts on Isaac Watts: Watts and Contextualization, by Sojourn Worship & Arts Pastor Mike Cosper

This will begin a new series of posts by Worship & Arts Pastor Mike Cosper on the life and work of Isaac Watts, whose songs are the source material for the upcoming Sojourn record, “Over the Grave”

There is much to be said about the legacy of Isaac Watts. A master of words, a faithful pastor, and one who endured persecution in the midst of England’s reformation, Watts stands as one of the many humble saints who left a tremendous legacy for the church.

At the center of Watts’ work are his Psalms and Hymns. Early in his life, he realized that the congregations he worshiped with didn’t understand the realities about which they sang. While the gospel is present in the Psalms those churches sang, it wasn’t clearly articulated, and its beauty was obscured by the language and forms in which it was presented.

Watts took what was a bold step for his day – translating the Psalms into conversational English, and translating the metaphors and imagery so they clearly presented the gospel. Where the Psalms celebrate Israel’s King, Watts shows us Jesus. Where they decry Israel’s national enemies, Watts helps us decry our spiritual enemies – Satan, sin, death, and evil rampant in the world. Consider his work on Psalm 3 for instance:

Psalm 3 (NIV)

A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.

1 O LORD, how many are my foes!

How many rise up against me!

2 Many are saying of me,

“God will not deliver him.”

Selah

3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD;

you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

4 To the LORD I cry aloud,

and he answers me from his holy hill.

Selah

5 I lie down and sleep;

I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

6 I will not fear the tens of thousands

drawn up against me on every side.

7 Arise, O LORD!

Deliver me, O my God!

Strike all my enemies on the jaw;

break the teeth of the wicked.

8 From the LORD comes deliverance.

May your blessing be on your people.

Watts gives us this text:

PSALM 3 (Isaac Watts)

My God, how many are my fears!

How fast my foes increase!

Conspiring my eternal death,

They break my present peace.

The lying tempter would persuade

There’s no relief in heav’n;

And all my swelling sins appear

Too big to be forgiv’n.

But thou, my glory and my strength,

Shalt on the tempter tread,

Shalt silence all my threatening guilt,

And raise my drooping head.

[I cried, and from his holy hill

He bowed a listening ear;

I called my Father, and my God,

And he subdued my fear.

He shed soft slumbers on mine eyes,

In spite of all my foes;

I woke, and wondered at the grace

That guarded my repose.]

What though the hosts of death and hell

All armed against me stood,

Terrors no more shall shake my soul;

My refuge is my God.

Arise, O Lord, fulfil thy grace,

While I thy glory sing;

My God has broke the serpent’s teeth,

And death has lost his sting.

Salvation to the Lord belongs;

His arm alone can save:

Blessings attend thy people here,

And reach beyond the grave.

The metaphors are made to point plainly and directly to our New Testament realities. Watts understood that comprehensibility was essential in order to truly show off the glory of God in the worship of the church. When the church understands the gospel they’re singing about, when the realities of God’s Kingdom are made plain and visible, our singing can truly be a time for the word of God to dwell richly amongst us, as we celebrate and encourage one another with the gospel.

This sentiment was at the heart of much of the Reformation’s work in reforming worship. Today, as we plan and lead worship in our congregations, we can do them a great service by placing this same priority – going to great pains to make plain and clear the rich truth, great hope, and magnificent Savior that God has given to us.