I Sing The Mighty Power of God (Hymn)

I Sing the Mighty Power of God is a timeless Christian hymn that celebrates God’s power, wisdom, and presence in creation. Through vivid imagery of nature, the song invites worshipers to recognize God’s sovereign hand in the world and praise Him for His mighty works.

VERSE 1
I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at His command, and all the stars obey.

VERSE 2
I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.

VERSE 3
There’s not a plant or flow’r below, but makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God, art present there.

Story Behind the Song

In 1715, Isaac Watts, a prominent English hymn writer, published “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” in his collection titled Divine Songs Attempted in Easy Language for the Use of Children. [1] This collection was dedicated to the young daughters of his patron, Thomas Abney, who had provided Watts with a place to live during his declining health. [2]

Watts had a deep affection for children and aimed to make religious teachings accessible to them. In the preface of the hymnal, he wrote, “Children of high and low degree, of the Church of England or Dissenters, baptized in infancy or not, may all join together in these songs.” [3] By simplifying complex theological concepts, he sought to instill a love for God and His creation in young hearts.

“I Sing the Mighty Power of God” was originally titled “Praise for Creation and Providence.” [4] The hymn reflects Watts’ Calvinistic theology, drawing inspiration from the creation narratives in Genesis 1 and 2. It emphasizes God’s omnipotence, wisdom, and goodness, inviting worshipers to marvel at the natural world as a testament to His greatness.

Over time, the hymn has been included in numerous hymnals and remains a cherished piece in Christian worship, appreciated for its straightforward language and profound message. Its enduring popularity underscores the effectiveness of Watts’ approach in making complex theological ideas accessible to all, especially children.

For a more in-depth exploration of the hymn’s history, you may refer to the following sources: