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 to 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

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

5

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.

Written by Isaac Watts and first published in 1707. Charles Wesley is said to have commented that he would give up all his other hymns to have written it. Isaac Watts wrote close to 700 hymns and Charles Wesley over 5,000.

The inspiration for the hymns is a verse in Paul’s letter to the Galatian church:

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. Galatians 6:14

A modern version of this hymn, omits verses two and four and has a new chorus with a completely different melody, and a new title, taken from the new chorus. While I can’t say for certain why it was rearranged, some would speculate that the omission has something to do with the graphic imagery of Christ’s blood poured out for us that long ago day on Calvary – that makes us uncomfortable. It’s too closely connected with the topics of sin and guilt.

However, of one thing I am certain. As we near the celebration of Christ’s glorious resurrection, and the victory over the penalty, power and one day the presence of sin that it represents, it would do well for us to remember what it cost the Father – the shed blood of His own Son.