3/2/08 "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"

If you are reading through the gospel of Matthew, today is chapter 7.
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Issac Watts, the father of English hymnody, has over 700 published hymns. Born in 1674 in England, he once said, "the singing of God's praise is the part of worship most closely related to heaven; but its performance among us is the worst on earth."

Watts began early in his life attempting to fulfill his calling as a pastor, but health kept getting in the way.

An inspiration to the hymns may have began when Watts was entranced by Galatians 6:14 "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."

The tune was found in 1824 and it still widely sung today.

"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?

(unused verse...but I like it!)
His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

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."