A Morning Hymn

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 >

God of the morning, at [Thy] Whose voice. J. Watts. [Morning.] First published in his Hymns & Sacred Songs, 1709, Book i., No. 79, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines, as "A Morning Hymn." It is sometimes used in an abbreviated form, and as "God of the morning, at Thy voice." Its use in its full, or in abridged form, is extensive in Great Britain and America.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)