The Psalms of David – Isaac Watts – 1799 | Early American Hymnal

Isaac Watts’ The Psalms of David, Imitated in the Language of the New-Testament is one of the most influential hymn collections in the English-speaking world. This 1799 Massachusetts edition features Watts’ poetic translations of Psalms, but perhaps more notably is the inclusion of his best-known hymns. Such hymns include When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, O God, Our Help in Ages Past, Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed, Come, We That Love the Lord (We’re Marching to Zion), and the now iconic Christmas song Joy to the World.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Psalms of David, imitated in the language of the New-Testament
• Author(s): Isaac Watts
• Publisher: Northampton [Massachusetts], William Butler
• Edition: 1799 edition.
• Format: (12mo), single volume
• Binding: Full leather
• Size:  7.25 in x 4.75 in (18.4 cm x 12.1 cm)
• Collation: 233 pp
• Contents Include:
  • When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
  • O God, Our Help in Ages Past
  • Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed
  • Come, We That Love the Lord (We’re Marching to Zion)
  • Joy to the World
  • Psalms in meter
  • Index and hymn-name table

Condition:

Good. Full leather binding with rubbing at corners and wear along hinges. Spine aged with moderate surface wear. Text block tight and stable with mild toning. Interior complete and legible.

Why Collect This?

• Contains several of Watts’ most famous hymns
• Appealing to collectors of early hymnals and early Americana

Item Number: #29506