When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
(Original Worship Song Inspired by the Bible)
🕊️ Verse 1:
When I survey the wondrous cross,
Where mercy bled and grace poured down,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And lay my pride before His crown.
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Love and sorrow gently meet.
The blood that flowed, the price was paid,
On Calv'ry’s hill, my soul was saved.
Inspired by Galatians 6:14 – "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."
🌟 Chorus:
Jesus, my Savior, lifted high,
You bore my sin, You chose to die.
Now I am free, redeemed, made whole,
Your wondrous cross has saved my soul!

🕊️ Verse 2:
No earthly power could ever claim
The matchless love in Jesus' name.
He drank the cup, He bore the shame,
The Lamb was slain, now He reigns!
His death, my life—forever sealed,
By stripes I'm healed, by wounds revealed.
The veil was torn, the grave gave way,
And hope arose that glorious day!
🔥 Bridge:
Oh the cross, it speaks my name,
My guilt erased, I’m not the same.
I rise with Christ, my Savior King,
To Him alone, my praise I bring!
Isaiah 53:5 – "By His wounds we are healed."
🙌 Outro:
When I survey that wondrous tree,
I see the King who died for me.
Forevermore, I lift my praise,
To Jesus Christ, the Ancient of Days.
A Reflection on Christ’s Ultimate Sacrifice
"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."
These opening lines from Isaac Watts’ powerful hymn invite us into one of the most sacred reflections in the Christian life—the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross. More than poetic words, this hymn is a heartfelt response to the love of God poured out through the suffering of His Son.
A Wondrous Cross, A Costly Love
The cross, once a symbol of shame and execution, has become the greatest emblem of divine love and victory. It is at the cross that heaven met earth, where mercy and justice kissed, and where the Lamb of God took away the sins of the world.
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
— Romans 5:8 (NIV)
To “survey” the cross is not to glance casually—it means to gaze deeply and prayerfully. When we survey the wondrous cross, we begin to understand the depth of God’s love, the weight of our sin, and the immeasurable price paid for our redemption.
Humility at the Foot of the Cross
Isaac Watts continues:
"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?"
As we reflect on Christ’s suffering—His bleeding hands and pierced side—we are reminded of the humility and obedience of the Savior. He bore the wrath of sin not because He had to, but because He loved us. Our pride, ambition, and worldly desires fade in comparison to His infinite grace.
“He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
— Philippians 2:8 (NIV)
A Call to Total Surrender
Watts concludes the hymn with a response:
"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."
This is the heart of worship—full surrender. When we truly grasp the love shown on the cross, we cannot remain unchanged. Our natural response should be a life laid down in gratitude and devotion to Jesus.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy,
to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
— Romans 12:1 (NIV)
Prayer:
Lord Jesus,
When I survey the wondrous cross, I see more than pain—I see love that defies human understanding. Thank You for giving Your life for mine. Help me to live in awe of Your sacrifice, to surrender fully, and to follow You with all my heart. Amen.
Final Thought:
The cross is not just a moment in history; it’s a living reality that changes lives today. As we reflect deeply during prayer, may the message of the cross ignite our hearts with reverence, love, and a renewed desire to serve Jesus daily.
Let the cross lead us not to guilt—but to grace. Not to sorrow alone—but to joy unspeakable. Truly, when we survey the wondrous cross, we find life eternal.