1. When I survey the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss,A nd pour contempt on all my pride. 2. 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. 3. 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? 4. 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.
Lyrics:
Isaac Watts
Music: Gregorian chant
Tune: HAMBURG
Meter: L.M.
Isaac Watts, 1674–1748
While preparing for a communion service in 1707, Isaac Watts wrote this hymn. It first appeared in print that same year in Watts’ collection, Hymns and Spiritual Songs. The hymn was originally titled “Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ.” Noted theologian Matthew Arnold called this the greatest hymn in the English language. In Watts’ day, texts such as this, which were based only on personal feelings, were termed “hymns of human composure” and were very controversial, since almost all congregational singing at this time consisted of repetitions of the Psalms.
Young Watts showed unusual talent at an early age, learning Latin when he was five, Greek at nine, French at eleven, and Hebrew at twelve. As he grew up, he became increasingly disturbed by the uninspiring psalm singing in the English churches. He commented, “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.” Throughout his life, Isaac Watts wrote over 600 hymns and is known today as the “father of English hymnody.”