National Blessings Acknowledged

Top Text Author (sts. 2-5)Author (sts. 1, 6)Alterer (st. 1)Text Info Notes Timeline Page Scans Instances

In thee, great God, with songs of praise

Author (sts. 2-5): Joel Barlow; Author (sts. 1, 6): Isaac Watts; Alterer (st. 1): Joel Barlow
Published in 40 hymnals

Representative Text

1 In thee, great God, with songs of praise,
Our favour'd realms rejoice:
And, blest with thy salvation, raise
To heav'n their cheerful voice.

2 Thy sure defence, thro' nations round,
Hath spread our rising name,
And all our feeble efforts crown'd
With freedom and with fame.

3 In deep distress our injur'd land
Implor'd thy pow'r to save;
for life we pray'd; thy bounteous hand
The timely blessing gave.

4 Thy mighty arm, eternal Pow'r,
Oppos'd their deadly aim,
In mercy swept them from our shore,
and spread their rails with shame.

5 On thee, in want, in woe or pain,
Our hearts alone rely;
Our rights thy mercy will maintain,
And all our wants supply.

6 Thus, Lord, thy wond'rous pow'r declare;
And still exalt thy fame;
While we glad songs of praise prepare,
For thine Almighty name.

Source: Church Hymn Book: consisting of newly composed hymns with the addition of hymns and psalms, from other authors, carefully adapted for the use of public worship, and many other occasions (1st ed.) #P.XXI

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Author (sts. 2-5): Joel Barlow

Barlow, Joel, born at Reading, Connecticut, 1755 [sic], graduated at Yale 1778, and died near Cracow, Poland, 1812, He was well known as an author and politician during and after the American Revolution. His publications include Hasty Pudding; Columbia, &c. In 1785, at the request of the (Congregational) General Association of Connecticut, he corrected and enlarged Dr. Watts's Psalms, supplying those omitted by Watts, and adapting the whole to American thought and circumstances. This work, published in 1786, went through various editions, and, although officially superseded by Dwight in 1800, it continued to be issued for many years after. Its title is somewhat curious as setting forth its design. It reads:— Psalms carefully suited to the… Go to person page >

Author (sts. 1, 6): 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 >

Alterer (st. 1): Joel Barlow

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First Line:	In thee, great God, with songs of praise
Title:	National Blessings Acknowledged
Author (sts. 2-5):	Joel Barlow
Author (sts. 1, 6):	Isaac Watts
Meter:	8.6.8.6
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain

Psalm 21
(hymns)

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Notes

Barlow, Joel, born at Reading, Connecticut, 1755, graduated at Yale 1778, and died near Cracow, Poland, 1812, In 1785, at the request of the (Congregational) General Association of Connecticut, he corrected and enlarged Dr. Watts's Psalms, supplying those omitted by Watts, and adapting the whole to American thought and circumstances. This work, published in 1786, went through various editions, and, although officially superseded by Dwight in 1800, it continued to be issued for many years after. Its title is somewhat curious as setting forth its design. It reads:— Psalms carefully suited to the Christian Worship in the United States of America, being Dr. Watts’ Imitation of the Psalms of David, as improved by Mr. Barlow. Of his renderings of the Psalms, there are still in common use:—

In Thee, great God, with songs of praise. National Hymn. It is No. 962 in N. Adams's Church Pastorals, Boston, 1804. [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.]

-- Excerpt from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

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