Not from the dust affliction grows. I. Watts. [Affliction of God.] Published in his Hymns, &c, 1709, Bk. i., No. 83, in 4 stanzas of 4 lines, and from thence has passed into a few hymnals. In the Translations and Paraphrases of the Church of Scotland, which were authorized in 1781, this hymn (No. 5) is included in a new form as, “Tho' trouble springs not from the dust." In this form Watts is reproduced in everything but the actual words. By whom this recast was made is not known. In the marked copy of the Translations & Paraphrases, by the daughter of W. Cameron it is left a blank.
--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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