Isaac Watts. [The Christian Race.] This famous hymn of Christian courage and perseverance was first published by Isaac Watts in his landmark collection Hymns and Spiritual Songs (1707, Book I, No. 48) in 5 stanzas of 4 lines under the heading "The Christian Race." It quickly gained widespread popularity across all English-speaking countries. An interesting textual variation was introduced by John Wesley in his Psalms and Hymns published at Charlestown, South Carolina, in 1736-1737, where he changed the phrase "Whose matchless power" in stanza three to "Thy matchless power." From Wesley's volume, this altered reading passed into virtually all Methodist hymnals worldwide, as well as into many Church of England hymnals through Martin Madan's Psalms and Hymns (1760). Other revisions emerged over time, such as in Richard Windle's Metrical Psalter, which incorporated altered lines adapted from Rowland Hill's collection (1787). In William John Hall's Mitre Hymn Book (1836), the text was recast as "Awake, my soul, dismiss thy fears," a version that was widely used for a time but has since passed out of common worship.
Related Hymns
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Joy to the World
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When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
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We're Marching To Zion
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Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed
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O God, Our Help in Ages Past
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I Sing the Mighty Power of God
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Jesus Shall Reign Where'er the Sun
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My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
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