The Divine Nature, Providence, and Grace

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Praise ye the Lord; 'tis good to raise

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 217 hymnals

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	In Excelsis Gloria! (Seasonal Alleluias…

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	CANONIC PROCESSIONAL

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	Tallis Canon: A Festive Hymn Setting

Representative Text

We praise you, Lord; it’s good to raise
our hearts and voices in your praise;
your nature and your works invite
us make this duty our delight!
You formed the stars, those heavenly flames;
you count their numbers, call their names;
your wisdom’s vast! It knows no bound,
a deep where all great thoughts are found.

Lord, you are great, and great your might,
and all your glories infinite!
You crown the meek, reward the just,
and take great pleasure in their trust.
The saints are lovely in your sight;
you view your children with delight!
You know their hopes, you calm their fear;
you see and love your image there.

Source: In Melody and Songs: hymns from the Psalm versions of Isaac Watts #103

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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 >

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First Line:	Praise ye the Lord; 'tis good to raise
Title:	The Divine Nature, Providence, and Grace
Author:	Isaac Watts
Meter:	8.8.8.8
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain

Year A, Christmas Season, Second Sunday after Christmas Day

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Notes

Praise ye the Lord; 'tis good to raise. J. Watts. [Ps. cxlvii.] First published in his Psalms of David, &c, 1719, p. 385, in 8 stanzas of 4 lines, and entitled "The Divine Nature, Providence, and Grace." It was included by J. Wesley in the first edition of his Psalms & Hymns, published in Charlestown, 1736-37, p. 10, with slight variations, the omission of st. ii., and the addition of Ken's doxology, "Praise God," &c. Further alterations were made by Wesley on adapting it for the Wesleyan Hymn Book, 1780, No. 216, and these latter readings are still retained in all collections of the Methodist bodies. The hymn in its original and altered forms is in extensive use. Original text in Watts's Psalms, late editions; Wesley's first reading in the reprint of 1736-37 Collection, London, 1882 ; and Wesley's final reading in the Wesleyan Hymn Book, 1875.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

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