Isaac Watts wrote, “The singing of God’s praise is the part of worship most closely related to heaven; but its performance among us is the worst on earth.” Watts was born on July 17, 1674, in Southampton, England. He learned Latin when he was five years old. By age nine Greek became his third language and by age eleven he could speak French. At age thirteen he learned his fifth language, Hebrew. (This just shows what a child can do without television) Watts was frustrated with church music. The singing in most of the English speaking churches at that time consisted of slow, ponderous Psalms. A deacon would read the first line of a Psalm then the congregation would follow with a droning like voice. After hearing young Watts complained so much, his father exclaimed, “Why don’t you give us something better, young man!” In response to his father, Watts wrote his first hymn which was sung in church that same evening. For two years he wrote one new hymn every Sunday. Because his songs were so bold and his style was not the traditional droning of Psalms, Isaac Watts was considered to be a radical churchman.

This week we will sing one of these radical hymns written by Isaac Watts. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross is our foundation Hymn for Sunday January 22, 2012. This hymn was one of the first hymns written based on personal feelings. He was expressing how he felt about what Christ did for him. This was a radical change for the church. In the fist two verses he writes how he feels about Christ. In the third verse we find what we call today, “The Take Away”. What is it that we “Take Away” from this song? Here’s what I think. If I owned the whole world and gave it to God as an offering it would be too small. What God did for me (John 3:16) is so incredibly amazing that the only option I have is to give God my soul, my life, my all. What is your offering to God? Romans 12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

Verse 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

Verse 2
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

Verse 3
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing so divine
Demands my soul my life my all

Our other songs for worship include:
How Great Thou Art, written by Stuart Wesley Keene Hine
He is Lord, written by Paul Smith
Because We Believe, written by Nancy Gordon and Jamie Harvill
There Is a Redeemer, written by Melody Green