Isaac Watts – 1674 – 1748 – is often referred to as the “Father of English Hymnody – having written more than 700 hymns texts. Many of them remain in use today including “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” and the one that is central to the following story.

During the younger years of Watts’ life – and for many years to follow – it was a common practice to sing metrical settings of the Psalms in worship. Unfortunately, the combination of English translation and metrical setting from time to time yielded a less than perfect result.

Apparently one Sunday morning at the church attended by Watts and his father the liturgy included the singing of Psalm 98. In the English Standard Version of the Bible verse 7 is translated as “Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it!” It seems that the metrical setting of that verse became “Ye monsters from the bubbling deep your Master’s praises spout, up from the deep ye coddlings peep and wag your tails about.”

After worship had concluded the young Watts is reported to have remarked to his father that he did not feel that the metrical setting and translation of the verse was appropriate for inclusion in worship. Fortunately for the world Isaac’s father is reported to have replied “Then write something better, Isaac.” Sometime later Isaac Watts penned the following:

“Joy to the world the Lord is come . . . let heaven and nature sing!”

Another example of less than wonderful text manipulation will forever remain etched in my mind. We were scheduled to sing “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” as the closing hymn in a service of worship – but -when we opened our worship bulletin we discovered that someone had cleverly re-written the text substituting “Parent Me, O Good Sustainer.”

Clearly everyone who writes new hymn text words are not of the caliber of Isaac Watts. More is required than simply substituting inclusive words for the text to become meaningfully inclusive.

With deep gratitude I acknowledge the creative contribution of a number of hymn text authors who are enriching our worship liturgies with words that are truly inclusive and fully appropriate for inclusion in a service of worship.

The posts that follow this one will offer tribute to some of these people who practice the stewardship of their God given gifts by creating hymn texts that are fully inclusive and also filled with the mystery, awe, and wonder that is needed for our contemporary worship liturgies today – and as we move boldly into the future.

Grace and peace . . .