Philip Doddridge

Philip Doddridge was an English Independent minister, theologian, educator, devotional writer, and hymn author born in London in 1702. He was educated within the dissenting tradition and in 1729 accepted the pastorate at Castle Hill in Northampton, where he was ordained in 1730. Alongside his pastoral work he directed a dissenting academy that trained ministers and other students in Scripture, theology, languages, philosophy, mathematics, and related subjects. His wide correspondence connected him with Nonconformists, Anglicans, and leaders of the evangelical revival.

Doddridge's major prose works included The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul and The Family Expositor. He also wrote hymns closely tied to biblical texts and pastoral teaching. His hymns circulated principally in manuscript during his lifetime. After his death in Lisbon in 1751, his friend Job Orton edited Hymns Founded on Various Texts in the Holy Scriptures, published in 1755.

Awake, My Soul, Stretch Every Nerve appeared there as hymn 296 under the heading Pressing on in the Christian Race and was explicitly connected with Philippians 3:12-14. The original form contained five Common Meter stanzas. Doddridge's combination of biblical exposition, pastoral exhortation, and congregational song is especially clear in this hymn's call to persevering discipleship.