When I Survey The Wondrous Cross Written by Issac Watts (1674 – 1748) Music – from a Gregorian Chant
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died.
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most -I sacrifice them to His blood. See, from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down; Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Few believers ever learn to truly love the cross of Christ. For though it offers great deliverance, it also, demands great sacrifice. Isaac Watts drives this truth home through the words and music of this powerful hymn. Watts was deeply disappointed with the hymns of his day, which failed to inspire his parishioners to genuine worship and
holy living. His dissatisfaction led him to compose more than 600 hymns, all designed to call his congregation to a deeper knowledge and worship of God. This hymn was written in 1707 for use in a communion service.
The music of this hymn was borrowed from Gregorian chant. Its rich, grave tones call those who sang it to realize the seriousness
of Christ’s sacrificial death. What shall we offer to God in grateful return for His gracious gift? All that we are and have is but a small offering in return for such great love. Some of the other well known hymns
written by Watts are:
O God Are Help In Ages Past,
Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed?,
Am I A Soldier Of The Cross,
Come Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove,
Come We That Love The Lord,
and Joy To The World.
Devotion part taken from the
“One Year Book of Hymns”
Tyndale House Publisher, Inc
