Eternal Wisdom, Thee we praise. I. Watts. [Praise to the Creator.] 1st published in his Horae Lyricae, 1705, as "A Song to Creating Wisdom," in 18 stanzas of 4 lines, divided into five parts, and repeated in later editions of the same, and in Watts's complete Works. Centos from this poem, all beginning with the first stanza, are numerous, specially in the American hymn-books. J. Wesley set the example by giving 12 stanzas in his Psalms & Hymns, 3rd ed., 1743. This arrangement was republished in the Wesleyan Hymn Book, 1780, No. 217 (revised ed. 1875, No. 226), and in several other collections. Usually, however, the centos are much shorter than this, from 4 to 6 stanzas being the rule.
--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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