Come, let us search our [hearts] ways and try. I. Watts. [Truthfulness.] First published in his Sermons, 1721-24, vol. ii. in 6 stanzas of 4 lines. In this form it is seldom found in any hymn-book, either old or new. It was rewritten as "Come, let us search our hearts and try" (i.-iii. Watts; iv. original), by E. Osier for Hall's Mitre Hymn Book, 1836, No. 171. Osier made further alterations in the text for his Church and King, June, 1837, p. 138, where it is appended to an essay on the Church Service for the 4th S. after Trinity. The Church and King text is usually followed. It is in Windle's Collection, No. 67 (stanza iii., line 1, speak for talk), the Harrow School Hymns, 1855-57.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
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 >
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