“O God, Our Help in Ages Past”

Directions for

Hymnal Journaling

2. Read History

3. Color/Doodle Hymn

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The Author of the Hymn

THE AUTHOR ~ Isaac Watts

Born July 17, 1674 in Southampton, Hampshire
Died November 25, 1748 in London

Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster. 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 labours. He did not retire from ministerial duties, but preached as often as his delicate health would permit.

Some of his hymns were written to be sung after his sermons, giving expression to the meaning of the text upon which he had preached. Montgomery calls Watts “the greatest name among hymn-writers,” and the honour can hardly be disputed. His published hymns number more than eight hundred.

Watts died November 25, 1748, and was buried at Bunhill Fields. 

History of Hymn

THE HISTORY ~ “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” 

Isaac Watts (1674-1748) penned a hymn for days like this. “O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST,” a paraphrase of Psalm 90, was written in 1714 when England was in crisis, faced with another wave of religious intolerance.

 It originally consisted of nine stanzas; however, in present usage the fourth, sixth, and eighth stanzas are commonly omitted to leave a total of six (Methodist books also include the original sixth stanza to leave a total of seven). In 1738, John Wesley in his hymnal, Psalms and Hymns, changed the first line of the text from “Our God” to “O God.” Both Watts’ wording and Wesley’s rewording remain in current use.