We sang the contemporary version of this song, "The Wonderful Cross", in church today (quite a feat for our "Untrained Country Choir"), and as I reflected on the lyrics, I was reminded that there's more to the song than what Chris Tomlin and Michael W. Smith are singing these days. I dug up the original Isaac Watts lyrics for his song, "When I survey the wondrous cross," and as usual find them absolutely arresting.
Read them well. Better yet, sing them, you know the tune.
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?
His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o'er is body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divien,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
-Isaac Watts, 1707
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