Every month we will look at a different hymn, it’s history, scriptural references and usages.

February, 2023 Hymn: When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

Issac Watts was one of the-if not THE-most influential hymn writers of the 17th/18th century. With over 600 hymns to his credit he is known as the ‘Father of English Hymnody’. This hymn-‘When I Survey the Wondrous Cross‘ is considered his crowning achievement. First published in ‘Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1707‘ it, like many songs of the time was to be sung to a number of different tunes, most notably ‘Tombstone‘, the popular ‘Rockingham‘ and an adaptation of a Thomas Tallis canon, ‘St. Lukes‘. In the United States it is best known as sung to a tune written by Lowell Mason, the ‘Father of American Church Music’, using an adaptation of a 5 note plain chant.

Lyrics/Text

1 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.

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 through 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. 

Scripture References

Isaiah 53:11
Out of his anguish he shall see light;  he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.

Psalm 34:2
My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.

I Peter 1:21
Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.

Matthew 26:28
for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

A Personal Note from Eric

I have always loved this song, and the simplicity of the ‘plain chant’ 5 note melody. This particular arrangement I chose because it adds to that melody with a simple yet powerful harmony that still leads us to consider the words and to think ON the cross. This particular arrangement was done by Gilbert Martin using the Lowell Mason tune that American audiences are most familiar with. Here Virginia and I are joined by my uncle Forrest Bachtel on bass.