To God the only wise, who keeps us by His word

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 >

To God the only wise, Who keeps us by His word. [Doxology.] This doxology, which is in somewhat extensive use in America, is usually ascribed to I. Watts. One stanza only —the second, "Hosannah to the Word"—is from his works, and this is altered from his C. M. doxology in Hymns and Sacred Songs, 1707. Stanzas i. and iii. we have not traced. The latter is 2 Cor. xiii. 14 turned into metre.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)