Great was the day, the joy was great

Author: Isaac Watts

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 >

Great was the day, the joy was great. I. Watts. [Whitsuntide—Missions.] From his Hymns & Sacred Songs, 1709, Book ii., No. 144, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines, into a few modern collections. In the Baptist Psalms & Hymns, 1858, No. 287, the lines:—

"Go, and assert your Saviour's cause;
Go, spread the mystery of His Cross,"

are changed to:—

" Go, and your Saviour's Cross proclaim:
Go, teach all nations in my Name."

This change is not generally adopted.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)