Isaac Watts - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Lyrics
Lyrics
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 an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all!
Video
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross by Isaac Watts
Meaning & Inspiration
Though listed with a release date of February 15, 2023, Isaac Watts’ profound hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," transcends any single modern release, standing as a foundational pillar of Christian worship for over three centuries. Penned by Watts in 1707, this hymn is not merely a song but a theological masterpiece, a poetic meditation designed to deeply imprint the gravity and glory of Christ’s sacrifice upon the human spirit. Watts, often called the "Father of English Hymnody," sought to replace less inspiring psalm paraphrases with hymns that spoke directly to personal faith and experience, and in this composition, he achieved a timeless articulation of devotion that continues to challenge and transform hearts. The hymn's enduring power lies in its stark confrontation with the cross, compelling an honest assessment of one's own life in light of divine love.
The very first stanza immediately establishes the core theme: a contemplative gaze upon Christ’s crucifixion and its radical implications for personal values. "When I survey the wondrous cross / On which the Prince of glory died," sets the scene, inviting the faithful to stand mentally at Calvary. Watts then presents the profound paradox: "My richest gain I count but loss, / And pour contempt on all my pride." This powerful declaration resonates deeply with the Apostle Paul’s sentiments in Philippians 3:7-8, where he writes, "Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." Watts mirrors this spiritual revaluation, suggesting that worldly achievements, possessions, or status, no matter how esteemed, pale into insignificance—even become detestable—when measured against the immeasurable worth of Christ's sacrifice. True humility springs from this recognition, stripping away self-exaltation.
The hymn progresses into a plea for single-minded devotion, as the second stanza declares, "Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, / Save in the death of Christ my God." Here, Watts echoes Galatians 6:14, "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." This isn't just a rejection of earthly pride but an active redirection of all adoration towards the one true source of hope. The "vain things that charm me most" are not inherently evil but become so when they usurp Christ's rightful place in one's affections. The resolve to "sacrifice them to His blood" speaks to a complete surrender, a spiritual realignment where anything competing for ultimate loyalty is willingly laid down. It's a call to identify with Christ’s death, allowing it to crucify our earthly desires and ambitions, as urged in Colossians 3:2, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
The third stanza offers a poignant and visceral image of Christ's suffering and its underlying motivations. "See from His head, His hands, His feet, / Sorrow and love flow mingled down," paints a vivid picture of the agony endured on the cross. This imagery directly references the wounds sustained during crucifixion (John 19:17-18) but immediately elevates the physical pain to a deeper spiritual reality: the confluence of immense sorrow for humanity's sin and boundless love that drove Him to such a plight. Watts then poses a rhetorical question of breathtaking profundity: "Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, / Or thorns compose so rich a crown?" This line encapsulates the astonishing paradox of the cross—that ultimate suffering became the vehicle for ultimate love, and a crown of thorns, a symbol of ridicule and pain, became the richest emblem of His kingly sacrifice. It points to the truth in Isaiah 53:5, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed," demonstrating the unique nature of God’s redemptive act, unparalleled in its blend of agony and affection (1 John 4:9-10).
The hymn culminates in its fourth stanza with an overwhelming response to such divine love, demanding an absolute and unqualified commitment. "Were the whole realm of Nature mine, / That were an offering far too small;" Watts asserts that even the entirety of creation, if it could be offered, would be an inadequate recompense for the sacrifice witnessed on the cross. This highlights the infinite value of Christ’s atonement and underscores the human inability to ever fully repay such a debt. The concluding lines, "Love so amazing, so divine, / Demands my soul, my life, my all!" are a powerful summation and a personal call to action. This is not a suggestion but a demand, not from a punitive God, but from "love so amazing, so divine." It compels a total self-giving, an offering of one's entire being in worship and service, echoing Romans 12:1, which urges us "to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." The song beautifully articulates that true faith necessitates this complete surrender, a radical and joyful giving of one’s complete self in response to the immeasurable love demonstrated on the wondrous cross, reflecting the greatest commandment to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matthew 22:37). "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" remains a timeless reminder that at the foot of Calvary, all earthly treasures lose their luster, and only Christ's boundless love truly matters.