March 26, 2017 (Sunday)
Until Isaac Watts came upon the scene, congregations of the Church of England sang only Old Testament Psalms when they worshiped together. Isaac Watts felt that Christians needed to sing the type of music that would more accurately represent all that is involved in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior. “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” was one of the songs included in his first hymnbook. He intended it to be used when observing the Lord’s Supper. This hymn has a special beauty all its own.
Words by Isaac Watts, 1707 Music by Lowell Mason, 1824 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. |
Click hear to hear a Gaither choir sing this marvelous hymn