Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
I once performed the hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” in Notre Dame Cathedral. Yes, it was just to the tourists who happened to be present. And yes, it was freezing in there, so our choir wore big, winter coats and shivered our way through the stanzas. But it was one of the most stunning, cherished experiences of my college life. The majesty of that place and the splendor of this song collided to create a moment I will never forget. (It didn’t even matter that I’m not much of a singer!)
Our choir director was a petite German man whom we referred to with enormous affection as “Dr. B.” Dr. B had a way of bringing out the best in us—not just our best sound, but our best selves. He taught us to hold our words with reverence, to form our vowels with care, and to never draw out our S’s or mumble our O’s.
Words like “cross” and “sorrow” and “demands” (sung “dih-mahnds”, with a heavy “d” and jaw dropped to the floor on the “ah”) somehow held more worship when directed by Dr. B, his arms moving sharply with the rhythm, eyes wide with calm intensity, and white hair flipped back in distinguished whimsy. He taught us to recognize the weight of the lyric we were singing and communicate it appropriately.
We weren’t just singing songs when we stood up in front of this small, powerful man. We were taking the melodies and lyrics carefully in, then offering them up to a beauty-starved world. We were doing important work and our perfect posture was proof that we knew it.
I think of that time, now so many years ago, and I wonder—Do I faithfully regard the cross of Christ with as much reverence now as I sang it with then, from the rehearsal room risers to faraway cathedral walls? Do I hold the reality of those words in my heart as carefully and diligently as they deserve, with no mumbling, no air of flippancy? The honest answers to these questions cause me to bow down low, confessing my sin, “pouring contempt on all my pride” like the old hymn says.
But the glorious cross of Jesus does not leave me there in guilt of my sin. The same Savior who reveals the depth of my need fulfills it by His mercy and love. The Cross that begs my confession is the Cross that lifts my head to salvation.
Our college choir ended every performance with this hymn. No matter the occasion or the other songs we sang, we always left it here—beholding the Prince of Glory’s wondrous cross.
Sisters, by God’s grace, let’s do the same. Let’s spend our days in awe of the suffering Savior who poured Himself out for us. With careful words and reverent hands, may we proclaim the amazing and divine love of Jesus, our richest gain. And when our show is over, be it days or decades from now, may it have been always and ultimately about that wondrous Cross.
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Isaac Watts, 1707
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 a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
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72 thoughts on "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross"
Demands my life, my all
He went through so much, all for us. All because He didn’t want to spend eternity without us. What a humbling and beautiful thought.
I love this hymn. Powerful and solemn and true.
14 But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world.! Love this! <3
I thought it was so interesting how the scripture talked about how Jesus looked. He wasn’t an attractive person because He was carrying everything that was wrong with us! His entire life was about us, not just his death! I’ve never really thought of it that way.
I boast no more, my God. You’re sacrifice is so amazing!
Truly amen!
My boyfriend and I needed to hear this today. Both of us as a couple have been being tempted by the Devil a whole lot lately and sometimes we fall into his traps. When we do we know that we are guilty and immediately pray and be hunble, but even though we know God forgave us we still feel guilty. Hearing this devotional let me know that it is finished.
I’m loving verse 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.” amen!
Love listening and meditating on this before heading to work. Surveying first the cross of Christ brings me the perspective I need to go about honoring Him today. Lord, may all my day be about your praise, as was all your life!
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I am joining this journey to follow in the word of God. I have been a Christian all my life but I have never truly understood how lucky I am to be born in a family of Christians who live so faithfully. I know I know. Many people are born in families that believe in a different ” God”, and believe in God in this way of Christians. Christian music is what keeps me going nowadays. I am a HUGE music lover. So when I discovered Christian music it changed me. I started with Oceans by Hillsongs United. This app was mentioned to me by a girl at my church. It has changed my way of studying God. Please mention me in your prayers. In the lords name I pray everything I touch will be in some way be a mark of you. Let my fingerprints spell out you name in bold letters. Let people see you in me. Please let me know if I’m mentioned in your prayers so that you and your kind heart will be mentioned in mine.
I truly appreciate your comment because I feel I can relate to your prayer to be a living witness for Him. I’ve added you to my prayer list! I, too, love the Oceans song and it really pulled me back into the desire to draw closer to God and show others of Him through my daily actions. This app has been a big step in creating a deeper connection with Him every day and a habit of spending quality time with Him so freely. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Jesus for the Cross!!
My favorite part of these hymn focused devotionals has been having that hymn stuck in my head after reading them. Such a great way to fill your mind! Today’s painted such a beautiful scene, and I feel like I can hear those words echoing through the cathedral.
I love this one I love reading about the hymns it just is amazing!
Beautifully written. My mind was flooded with memories of my own beloved college choir director…dropping the jaw and all!Thank you for that comparison.
love!
Thankyou. The cross puts everything in perspective!
Today’s words and music brought me to my knees. Thank you.
Praying for you O.
Praying for you.
Sisters, I doubt many are awake but I have an unspoken prayer request at the moment. Prayers for safety and guidance are much appreciated.
Praying for you O.
Praying!!
Please do more hymns! I love singing! And I love my Savior!
Forbid it Lord that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God!
Praying for you. I hope all your prayers are answered!
I too sang in a choir in college directed by a man we affectionately called DB. Not sure we are talking about the same choir though. We sang overseas a lot and it was an auditioned group of profoundly gifted musicians (You said you weren’t even that good of a singer so not sure it is the same). The choir I was a part of was the A Capella Choir from Samford University. Anyway, our DB went to be with The Lord in February and over 400 choir alumni gathered to celebrate his life with song and memories. Every song was full and rich with meaning, especially since we were very aware that we had joined the “heavenly choir” of which DB is now a member! So Thankful that he taught us how to use our gifts to enter in and enjoy and reflect the majesty and full redemption of our “beautiful Savior” (that was the hymn we ended every concert with). Thank you for reminding me of the wonderful way he encouraged us to fully enter into each hymn and song we sang!
I too sang under the dorectiNot sure if we are talking about the same man but if it was the a Capella choir from Samford university, we are.
Awesome study & powerful reminders!! Thanks everyone!!
This week has ministered to my broken soul, and challenged me to see through the lens of Jesus. I am so thankful for a God that is so tender and loving. What wondrous love is this, indeed- it is singing to my soul indeed. Thank you for an excellent week- I am so excited for the next study!
I have enjoyed this study, and the previous one, so so much! Music soothes my soul and these hymns are a shot straight to the heart! I sing I cry, I cry, I sing. Thankful for my Savior and the cross. Genuis move on making the album, SRT ladies- thank you!
I loved this song and thank you I agree with Amber above ~ the hymns have inspired me too !!! I especially loved reading the writer's stories .
I hope you do this again at Christmas :-) . I'm new to SRT ( started in Jan 2015 ) . I look forward to seeing your devotions in the morning .
Amen and thank you so much .
Thank you SRT! This week has been so amazing, inspiring me to include hymns in Bible Study time with my 3 little ones!
I love this devotion and the hymn. It’s just what I needed after this stressful week. I struggle with an anxiety disorder and last night I was so anxious that I couldn’t sleep. Earlier this week, I bruised my hand from work and now when I look at the bruises, I can’t help but be reminded of Jesus’ death on the cross. Isaiah 53:5 says it best. Others may look at it as little bruises and nothing more, but it brings up a lot of emotion for me. “Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.” just defines it for me right now. I’m so in awe at Jesus’ love for me that He showed on the cross. As Paul says in Philippians 3:10, “That I may know him, and the POWER of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings…” The power of Jesus’ resurrection is more than enough to cover my anxiety, to proclaim His name in all that I do and that I can lose everything, but STILL have Him.
I love this hymn, and how it makes us all focus in on the most important thing: the cross.
Where there are lots of divisions, opinions and traditions amongst believers, it's the cross of Christ that unifies us all. It where we all can hang our hat, boldly proclaiming that yes, Jesus is Lord. Fully man, fully God, second person of the Trinity. That HE is worthy of all praise.
The verse that really resonated with me this morning was Gal. 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."
Oh, that I might ONLY boast in the cross of Christ! Such a beautiful reminder.
Yes, Laura, I noted the verse in Galations too. Boasting only in the cross right along with you today!
"Wondrous" is not a word we hear or use much these days. Not many things merit such a word. Oh Lord, may we never cease to "wonder" at love so amazing,so divine.
“May I never lose the wonder, oh the wonder of Your mercy, may I sing Your hallelujah, hallelujah amen”
I read the post, listened to the song, then turned to Matthew. By the 6th word in, of 27:50, I released a from-the-gut cry. Thank you for helping me get back to the foot of the Cross.
I, too, was (am) a student of Dr. B — so thankful for his influence and for the Jesus he guided us toward. How encouraging to read this reminder not only of the beauty of our Savior, but of those who have reminded us to look back to the cross.
What a wonderful week of study this has been….truly a blessing! I have been playing the hymns at work (thankfully they are OK with that! ) and they totally lift my spirit and I have been in a much better frame of mind this week compared to previous years – the final week at school is pure chaos normally in my nurse's office: state reports, billing, all sorts of field trips and parties (can be a nightmare keeping everyone's blood glucose levels and allergies in check!) – but this year, this week has been joyful as well. I have gotten the "to-dos" done with praise in my heart :) Thankful each step of the way…..<3 Today is the final student day….it will be a day full of smiles, hugs and some tears. Please lift a prayer for all of the littles that struggle today….they are walking away from their comfort and security and routine. They are walking away from known meals and snacks. They are entering into 3 months of uncertainty. Pray for comfort for them….for these kiddos, summer is a scary, fend for yourself time. This last day of school is an emotional one for me….I send them off with a giant hug and prayers over them…..uncertain of what the next 3 months will bring for them. I truly love these kiddos….truly…..
Happy Friday all!
P.S……Can I just say right now how stoked I am to start our new study?!?!? The book is just AMAZING!!!!
The power of truth set to music to lift our souls! Praising with you that you experienced joy in the midst of your busy week!
What a beautiful teacher-heart you have!
thank you for the reminder to pray for school aged children that will be in uncertain situations when school is out….a great reminder…..
"But the glorious cross of Jesus does not leave me there in guilt of my sin. The same Savior who reveals the depth of my need fulfills it by His mercy and love. The Cross that begs my confession is the Cross that lifts my head to salvation."
Sisters let us always live in this beautiful reality of our salvation…Always forgiven, Always righteous in Christ!
"Nothing can separate us from the LOVE of God!"
"Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is FREEDOM"
Thank you Jesus!
I have sung this hymn for more years than I care to remember, however this morning I am stuck on the words "Prince of glory". What a beautiful description of our beautiful Savior.
Thank you, Jesus, for the cross. This morning, I leave my soul, my life, my all at Your feet. As I get up from this sacred and holy moment, I pray that You would use me for Your work and Your glory today. Empty this vessel that You filled, a sacrifice to Your blood.
Amen
Leaving my flesh with all its selfish desires at the foot of the cross this morning. Praying this prayer with you, Kelly. And also wanted to thank you for your comments yesterday about preaching gospel to ourselves. I listened to the podcast–still really thinking on that–so powerful. Thanks for sharing!
I am listening to it again :)
“When our show us over, may it have been always and ultimately about the wondrous Cross”. I hope that people see this by the way I live my life. I hope that, especially, my young children see that I live my life everyday in a way that points them towards Jesus and what the cross means for us.
Thank you, gals of SRT and guest musicians, for an absolutely wonderful week! These hymns are among my favorites and I've enjoyed every one! Have a great weekend!
Beautiful music, words, AND reminders.
Isaac Watts was truly a revolutionary in his time. Up until When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, most churches only sung the Psalms in their worship services. They were not too keen on taking up a "contemporary" song such as this hymn when Watts introduced it in his first book of hymns in the early 1700's.
What did Watts think they were missing? The fulfillment in the New Testament! He didn't want to do away with the Psalms, only to be able to express his worship and love to a Savior that had given His all.
My favorite focus on this hymn is the fact that He doesn't STAY on the Cross…Watts wants us to experience the suffering, the DEBT paid but we can't stop there. Amanda said it beautifully, "But the glorious cross of Jesus does not leave me there in guilt of my sin." This hymn calls us to remember but to also ACT. "Love so amazing, so divine…demands my soul, my heart, my all."
If we don't act on the price of the Cross; repentance, obedience, fulfilling His will, it is all in vain to us as individuals. Jesus didn't want us to just be broken over the Cross but to embrace the Gospel, share it with everyone we meet and walk as new creatures.
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness." 1 Peter 2:24
Agreed, this is definitely my fave…and I can't help myself after each stanza to sing along with Chris Tomlin as he belts out:
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross!
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross!
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless
Your name
Another contemporary reviving the hymns of old for another generation. ♥
N, thank you for that background information. It helps describe the worship that happened at my kitchen table this morning. The psalms speak to the power and majesty of God; this song worships Jesus–beautiful, wonderful, loving Jesus! It is the Gospel in song: the beauty of Christ, our position, His power over sin, and a call to action. I don't walk away with the warm fuzzies, but with a resolve to give my soul, my heart, my all.
Thank you SO MUCH for sharing the background of this beautiful hymn……so powerful!
My soul, my heart, my all…..I give them all to Him….
I was thinking the same thing about Chris Tomlin's chorus!
There are many hymns that I have grown with…Oh so many that have moved me…shaken me to the core, with the beautiful and so truth-filled words, that just stir something within me, with the melody that accompanies it, but this one, this one right here, has me floored, has me..'at Hello' as they say…every time…
Amanda, can I say your version is amazing..Thank you..
I have come to believe that everything…EVERYTHING begins and ends at the Cross….The wonderous Cross…We come to the Cross, realizing…We repent at the Cross.., and know forgiveness, We hand over at the Cross..and our burdens are lightened, We find love, amazing, pure and true, at the Cross..,We praise at the Cross.., We live, and have a tomorrow because of the Cross..,We have, Salvation, Redemption, Eternity…because of the Cross…And because of the Cross…we have HOPE, everlasting HOPE…
When I, Tina, survey the wonderous Cross…I am thankful, thankful, that my Lord Jesus loved me, t h I s M u c h ( outstretched arms) and more, much more,, that He died on the Cross for me, for us, my family, my friends, …my enemies…
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?
Every bit of Jesus' body was struck, hurt, bled for me and what I had, have and continued to do, in terms of sin,…yet knowing that…Oh My God, still knowing that..
All I can say, is, this song, this hymn, the words of this song…truly hit home, right to my soul, what the Cross means to me…Thank you Jesus,Thank you…
Praying the Lord God Almighty, turn His face to shine on you today, and over the weekend, friends…Be absolutely Blessed…xxx
AMEN!!!!
I grew up in a church that seemed to sing the same repetitive hymns over and over. Therefore, it saddens me that I did not previously know a single hymn from this week’s study. Yet it brings joy to me that I have come to know them. They are absolutely beautiful with such moving words and truth. And because this is my first hymns study, I never realized how the lyrics stem and sometimes come directly from Bible verses. Thank you She Reads Truth for introducing me to new hymns and for opening my eyes to their beauty!
This week has been wonderful. Thank you SRT
Such beautiful lyrics. <3
Of all the passages we read today, I zeroed in on Is. 53:5
"…the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
It's so striking to me that is says "the punishment that BROUGHT us peace", and " ..we ARE healed" not "that WILL bring us peace when we get to Heaven" or "Will heal us in our glorified bodies" It's done. past tense. How often do we really live as if He left the fullness of His wild, vibrant peace to live in us?
Its done………I truly need to remember this each and every day – and honor His sacrifice in how I live each moment…
Yes! and to celebrate His victory!
That is amazing… Isaiah 53:5 was what stood out to me too, "upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace" – i think of times when i am hurting and in knots, and then when I feel the peace of God wash over me, to remember that it was directly His suffering that brought that peace to my soul… well, it is a new perspective and has deepened my gratefulness for what He has done for me…
and then to take in everything that peace encompasses: it's not just lack of conflict, it's total health and well-being in every sense. You're right, it IS amazing!
Yes!
me too!