Series: Good Friday | WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS

~ Isaac Watts, 1707

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.

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.

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?

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.

BIBLICAL TEXTS

“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14)

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:7-8)

“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?” (Luke 9:23-25)

“Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

by becoming obedient to death—

even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8)

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8)

“I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart.” (Psalm 34:2)

“…and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.” (Matthew 27:29)

“The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him.” (John 19:2)

“My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs, an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet.” (Psalm 22:16)

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” (Psalm 24:1)

“What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?” (Psalm 116:12)

Jesus answered: ”Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)

Additional Scriptures: Philippians 3:4-6; Jeremiah 9:23-25; 2 Corinthians 12:9: 1 Corinthians 1:29-31