When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
History
Isaac Watts was a noted dissenter of tradition and stale religion—especially when it challenged the integrity of Scripture. To that end, Watts made efforts to ensure that everything he did upheld the highest integrity possible for God’s Word.
As one of the fathers of modern hymnody, Watts is credited with composing many of the greatest hymns that we still sing today. Perhaps none is more significant than this potent examination of the crucifixion. This is the first known hymn to be composed in the first person, bringing the singer to the foot of the cross in a very real and powerful way. Watts initially intended the hymn to be a communion reflection on the cross and Jesus’ saving grace before participating in the breaking of bread.
This hymn holds a special place for many, even those who have studied or composed hymns throughout history. Even the great Charles Wesley, who composed some 10,000 hymns or more in his lifetime, allegedly admitted that he would “give up all my other hymns to have written this one.”
Watts’ efforts at preserving the integrity of Scripture as presented in his work provoked careful attention as he composed these words. He worked hard to make sure no passive listener could make any sort of extra-biblical allusions. In one specific instance, he changed the words of the second line in order to avoid any connection to a young prince who died at the age of eleven.
The hymn gained popularity and found a modern audience in the early 2000s, when Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman released their updated version with a new chorus and an added verse. For over 300 years now, believers have joined in the convicting and humbling message, singing of the amazing love Jesus had for us.
Devotion
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” has been treasured for centuries because of its clear, convicting gospel call. The message of the cross is simple and timeless. The reality of Christ’s sacrifice for us never grows stale or out of fashion. That’s why we have seen our faith expand so profoundly since the cross. That’s why Christianity is not simply a fad—the gospel truth is powerful and unwavering.
Meditate on that today. Do you sometimes find that the gospel story of God’s grace has simply become yet another small slice of your already full life? Is the story of the cross just another thing that happened to you, or do you find yourself moved by the power of God’s grace often?
If we’re honest with ourselves, I think we have all been guilty of allowing ourselves to grow complacent and passive. We all go through periods where we are unmoved by the gospel. It doesn’t help that the modern church is consistently under pressure to compete with the hyper-stimulated entertainment industry. As a culture, we are being conditioned to look for the next and most exciting thing to occupy our attention’s unquenchable thirst.
This is hardly a new phenomenon. Humanity is wired for temporary pleasures and satisfactions ever since the fall. It began when Adam and Eve traded the eternal communion with God for a moment of temptation and the promise of greatness. The problem with any promise of greatness is that, as a rule, the greatness is only temporary. Then we are left with an appetite for power, intelligence, beauty, etc. The world can never fully satisfy our fleshly needs.
But the gospel is unchanging. The gospel reminds us that Christ stepped into heaven and humbled Himself to the cross to win our very souls. Not for our own greatness, but for God’s glory and our relationship with Him.
The gospel story doesn’t grow stale or cold, it’s only our hearts that grow hard to the message of our salvation. That’s why hymns like this are so important. That is why these words continue to move and convict for centuries: they are the unchanging truths of the gospel. A love story about God who stepped into flesh to bear the sins we never could in order to bring us home to Him.
As believers, our command is to share the gospel, and that’s an important mission that we all have. But hear this: don’t forget to share the gospel with yourself. We never stop needing to hear this wonderful truth.
Related Scripture
Philippians 2:4-11; 2 Timothy 1:6-14
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross 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 through 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.