This Printable version of When I Survey The Wondrous Cross is a hymn of praise and worship which is suitable for all Christian denominations. At least it is admittedly the greatest hymn of a great hymn-writer, Isaac Watts, the father of modern English hymnody. The hymn was intended as a communion hymn and is headed with a reference to St Paul's letter to the Galatians: "Crucifixion to the world by the cross of Christ" (Galatians 6:14). 2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the cross of Christ, my God: When I Survey The Wondrous Cross Hymn Story MATTHEW ARNOLD declared the greatest Christian hymn in the English language to be "When I survey the wondrous cross." The hymn, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, was written by Isaac Watts, and published in Hymns and Spiritual Songs in 1707. Large range of public domain old traditional hymns and modern songs. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Watts penned this song in preparation for the communion service. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Hymn History When I Survey The Wondrous Cross is one of the most famous and favorite hymns composed by Isaac Watts. Within Watts’ book, under the section “Prepared for the Holy Ordinance of the Lord’s Supper” is the first public printing of “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” Concerning the hymn’s creation, there is no special story that singles it from among the many … Book traversal links for The Story Behind…“When I Survey The Wondrous Cross” It was first published in 1707 in Watt's collection Hymns and Spiritual Songs. 2 Our God forbid that we should boast, Save in the death of Christ, our Lord; All the vain things that charm us most, We’d sacrifice them to His blood. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God! When we survey the wondrous cross On which the Lord of glory died, Our richest gain we count but loss, And pour contempt on all our pride. 2 Our God forbid that we should boast, Save in the death of Christ, our Lord; All the vain things that charm us most, We’d sacrifice them to His blood. [Verse 2] Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God! First published in 1707 as part of his collection: Hymns and Spiritual Songs, it was written for a communion service and was originally called Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ.Charles Wes­ley is said to have remarked: that he would give up all of his 6000 hymns to have written this one. [Verse 1] D G D When I survey the wondrous cross D A Bm G A On which the prince of glory died, D G Bm G My richest gain I count but loss, D Em A7 D A And pour contempt on all my pride. 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. One of the greatest hymn writers of all time composed the beautiful hymn, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” Isaac Watts (1674-1748) was born in England, the first son of a family of the Dissenting tradition. Richard Skeet writes: "There are two quite remarkable things about the hymn as a whole. WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS: A TRADITIONAL CHRISTIAN HYMN A Brief Meditation on the Hymn Here the composer expresses his awe and gratitude when contemplating the cross. All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood. [Verse 2] D G D Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, D A Bm G A Save in the death of Christ my God! 1 When I survey the wondrous cross where the young Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. 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. VERSE 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. Watts wrote "When I survey the wondrous cross" as a communion hymn and it first appeared in print in his outstanding 1707 collection Hymns and Spiritual Songs. 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. It leaves us speechless when we contemplate this wonder of wonders. All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood. The hymn has been set to more than one tune, but perhaps the most popular is that of Edward Miller, who wrote his music in 1790, some forty-two years after Watts’ death. When we survey the wondrous cross On which the Lord of glory died, Our richest gain we count but loss, And pour contempt on all our pride. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross by Isaac Watts, 1674-1748 (Hymn #299, United Methodist Hymnal) from HymnSite.com, with lyrics, texts, MIDI files, piano scores, ppt slides, videos, and more. Originally, the hymn was named "Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ," following the practice of the day to summarize a hymn's theme in the title. 2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the cross of Christ my God: All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood. 1). Variety of musical styles. The hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", was written by Isaac Watts, and published in Hymns and Spiritual Songs in 1707. 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. Galatians 6:14 Text: Isaac Watts (1674-1748) Tune: Lowell Mason (1792-1872) 1. 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