20. Lord, in the morning _Isaac Watts_, 1674-1748 Based on Psalm 5:3: “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer to thee, and will look up.” Watts did not hesitate to change the wording of the Psalms, when necessary, to “Christianize” them. In the preface to his book of _Psalms_, he states his method and purpose in these words: It is necessary that I should inform my readers that they are not to expect in this book an exact translation of the Psalms of David. My design is to accommodate the Book of Psalms to Christian Worship. For further comments on Watts see Hymn 11. _MUSIC._ WARWICK, a psalm-tune of somewhat ornamental style, was composed by Samuel Stanley, 1767-1822, who for thirty-three years was the leader of singing in Carr’s Lane Meeting House, Birmingham, England, where he made its music famous. He was a noted violincellist and an authority on the music of Handel. His position in the church was not then considered inconsistent with his being, for a time, keeper of the town tavern. 21. When morning gilds the skies _19th century, Tr. E. Caswall_, 1814-78 For comments on the words see Hymn 19. _MUSIC._ LAUDES DOMINI was composed by Joseph Barnby, 1838-96, an English organist and one of the most prolific hymn-tune writers of his time. He was conductor of the Royal Choral Society in London, which presented many splendid performances of the great oratorios. It is a reverent and vigorous tune, written especially for this hymn, and makes a good processional. 22. New every morning is the love _John Keble_, 1792-1866 Taken from John Keble’s _Christian Year_, a book of devotional poetry, one of the great religious classics in the English language. The original poem of sixteen stanzas is based on Lamentations 3:22b, 23a: “His compassions fail not. They are new every morning.” The hymn shows a deep appreciation of the beauties of the natural world, linking them with the worship of God. John Keble was educated at Oxford where he was an outstandingly brilliant student. Later he taught at Oxford for nine years and then spent thirteen years as curate in his father’s church in Gloucestershire. Following that he became vicar of Hursley where he rebuilt the parish church with profits from his book, _The Christian Year_, which passed through 90 editions during the author’s lifetime. Keble was one of the influential leaders in the so-called Oxford or Tractarian Movement in England, an effort to emphasize worthier ideas of the church and a greater dignity and beauty in worship. _MUSIC._ MELCOMBE, a melody of fine balance and great dignity, was composed by Samuel Webbe, 1740-1816, son of an English government official in Minorca. He spent his early life as a cabinetmaker but later turned to music, becoming a noted organist and composer of a large quantity of secular and sacred music.