"When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," a sacred song written by Isaac Watts, was adapted from a Gregorian chants and is often sung on Good Friday.

"When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" was written by English text author Isaac Watts (1674-1748), referred to as the 'Father of English Hymnody.' The music was taken from a Gregorian chant, and arranged by composer Lowell Mason (1792-1872).

One of the greatest hymns, this popular sacred song is often sung by Christians on Good Friday to signify Christ's suffering on the cross.

About the Hymn

"When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" was written in 1707 for use at a communion service conducted by the famous hymn-writer Isaac Watts. It first appeared in print that same year in Watt's outstanding collection, Hymns and Spiritual Songs. The original title was "Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ."

Watts rewrote many of the Psalms during his time but he also wrote a number of hymns purely based on personal feelings. "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" is one of them, something he called hymns of human composure. This particular hymn is the product of the scripture found in the Bible's Galatians chapter 6 verse 14: "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Hymn-writer/author Isaac Watts

The eldest of nine children, Isaac Watts was born on July 17, 1674, in Southampton, England. His father was an educated deacon in a dissenting Congregational church. He was in prison for his non-conformist beliefs at the time of Isaac's birth.

As a boy, Watts showed an unusual aptitude and literary genius. From 5 until 13 years old, he learned Latin, Greek, French, and Hebrew, and began to write quality verses. Aside from hymn writing, he was a student of theology and philosophy, who later wrote significant volumes which had powerful influence on English thinking during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

One of his early concerns was the deplorable state to which congregational singing had degenerated in most English-speaking churches. Young Watts was highly critical of the slow singing, then ponderous Psalms in which each line was first read by an appointed deacon prior singing.

After returning from a service one Sunday, young Isaac was challenged by his father, "why don't you give us something better to sing?" Watts, then aged 18, accepted his father's challenge. The next Sunday he produced his first hymn, with enthusiastic response from the congregation. For the next two years, he wrote new hymn texts every Sunday. He published a collection of over 200 hymns, in a book entitled Hymns and Spiritual Songs.

Watts wrote some 600 hymns in his lifetime. Some favorite hymns he wrote, aside from this hymn, include "Jesus Shall Reign," "Our God our Help in Ages Past," "I Sing the Mighty Power of God" and the famous Christmas song "Joy to the World."

Composer and Tune Writer Lowell Mason

Lowell Mason is often called the father of American public school and church music. An American choir director, composer, and educator, he arranged the tune of "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" in 1824 from an ancient Gregorian chant, the earliest church music known. It became known as "Hamburg" tune.

Mason composed the tune for popular hymns "Nearer my God to Thee," "A Charge to Keep I have," "My Faith Looks Up to Thee," and arranged "O Day of Rest and Gladness."

Hymn Beginning Lines

"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."

Lyrics and Music may be found at Cyber Hymnal (Click MIDI from there).

Source

101 Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications (1982)