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Hymn of the Month

March

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Isaac Watts, 1674-1748 / Lowell Mason, 1792-1872
Written: 1707

Galatians 6:14 – But God forbid that I should boast save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world was been crucified to me, and I to the world.

This hymn by Isaac Watts, labeled by the well-known theologian Matthew Arnold as the greatest hymn in the English language, was written in 1707 for use at a communion service conducted by Watts. Its original title was “Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ”.

Isaac Watts was born on July 17, 1675, in Southampton, England. He was the eldest of nine children. Young Watts showed an unusual aptitude for study and learned Latin at the age of five, Greek at nine, French at eleven and Hebrew at thirteen.

Watts is frequently referred to as the father of English hymnody. One of his early concerns was the deplorable state to which congregational singing had degenerated in most English-speaking churches. One Sunday after returning from a typically poor service, Watts continued to rail against the congregational singing. His father exclaimed, “Why don’t you give us something better, young man!” Before the evening service began, young Isaac had written his first hymn. For a period of two years Watts wrote a new hymn every Sunday.

In March of 1700, Watts received a long letter from his brother, Enoch, urging him to publish the hymns he had written. Watts, however, hesitated. He had other obligations including serving as the pastor of London’s Mark Lane church. Finally in 1707, he published the hymns, selling the copyright to a publisher for ten pounds. “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” appeared in this book of hymns.

The tune for the text is known as the “Hamburg” tune. It was the work of Lowell Mason, who was often called the father of American public school and church music. Mason stated that he arranged this tune in 1824 from an ancient Gregorian chant, the earliest church music known. Charles Wesley reportedly said he would give up all his other hymns to have written this one.

Watts composed more than 600 hymns including “Jesus Shall Reign (May 2020 Hymn of the Month), “O God, Our Help In Ages Past” (October 2017 Hymn of the Month) and “Joy To The World” (December 2017 Hymn of the Month). He is also the author of a children’s hymn, “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” (July 2015 Hymn of the Month).

Taken from 101 Hymn Stories Copyright © 1982, 2012 by Kenneth W. Osbeck. Published by Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Taken from Then Sings My Soul Keepsake Edition by Robert J. Morgan Copyright © 2011 Robert J. Morgan. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson

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