Isaac Watts wrote this hymn in the early 1700’s. He had become a bit weary of strict adherence to the psalms. He wrote many hymns which are still familiar to us. He was a pastor in London, but hymn writing was his strong suit. He was much beloved of his congregation and indeed lived in the home of one of his members, Sir Thomas Abney, for 36 years! He was a short man, only about 5 feet tall.
This hymn is modeled on Psalm 90, especially the first part of the psalm. The flood of Noah is alluded to clearly. Our identification with those who drowned in the flood is indicated in Psalm 90 (verse 7 ff) in that we, too, are sinners as were they. Our security from the same fate is only by His good pleasure. Our life is short, and we should respect His anger.
Our God, our help in ages past
Note the identification of the singer with the Church through the ages.
We today are a bit too prone to think only of God’s provision for us in our own brief and narrow experience. Think of how David wrote psalms about events that were centuries old by the time he wrote them.
shadow of Thy throne, still may we dwell secure
Think of how our security comes from God. Stormy blasts, trials in this life, we can expect.
Before the hills
God’s eternity looking backward in time is extolled. Some of our hymns major in how we feel and what is on our mind, and on our response. This hymn focuses on God, returning His thoughts to Him from Psalm 90.
A thousand ages
God’s eternity looking forward in time is extolled. He stands above time.
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