Happy the city where its sons,
like pillars on a palace face,
and daughters, bright as polished stones,
give strength and beauty to the place.
Happy the country where the sheep,
cattle and corn, have large increase;
where all securely work or sleep,
and none of plunder break the peace.
Happy the land that loves the Lord,
whose people know the Savior’s ways,
relying on God’s holy word,
rejoicing with their songs of praise.
Happy the nation thus endowed;
but more divinely blest are those
who trust you, all-sufficient God,
for all the good your grace bestows.
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 >
The original version of WINCHESTER NEW appeared in Musikalisches Handbuch der geistlichen Melodien, published in Hamburg, Germany, in 1690 by Georg Wittwe. It was set to the text “Wer nur den lieben Gott” (see 446). An expanded version of the tune was a setting for "Dir, dir Jehova" (see 203) in…
Display Title: Happy the city where its sonsFirst Line: Happy the city where its sonsTune Title: THORNY DESERTAuthor: Isaac WattsMeter: LMScripture: Psalm 144Date: 2014Source: Psalm 144, alt.; Stanza 2A Adrienne Tindall
Display Title: Happy The CityFirst Line: Happy the city, where their sonsTune Title: WINCHESTER NEWAuthor: Isaac WattsMeter: LMSource: The Psalms of David, 1719, alt.