Isaac Watts – When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

I have a confession. I loathe songs that take a perfectly good song, slap on a Chorus (sometimes with a Bridge) that adds little to no new ideas, and releases it to the wild. Several versions of Amazing Grace follow this trend. Modern Christmas music is going in this direction. I get that artists have the right to spruce up old hymns and make them more modern. Some people like that. I don’t, and tend to avoid reviewing songs that do. As an originalist, I would rather review the original source material.

The song The Wonderful Cross by Chris Tomlin was originally scheduled for this slot. However, this too follows the same pattern. The Verses are from Isaac Watts’ When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. The Chorus and Bridge are shoehorned in. I mean no ill will towards Chris Tomlin. He has every right to release The Wonderful Cross and receive whatever accolades that follow from it. I also realize that some people will disagree with me on my originalist ideology. That’s fine too.

I’ll compromise on this review. The page will be titled for Isaac Watts since he originally wrote it. However, I’ll also provide commentary and a separate rating for Tomlin’s version if it’s different than Watts’ version.

Luckily for me, I happen to have permission to post the lyrics for Tomlin’s version. This will make it easier for you to read.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.

1. What message does the song communicate?

Watts figuratively gazes upon the cross, remembering Jesus’ loving sacrifice for his sins, including the holes in His body and crown of thorns placed upon His head.  Everything else apart from knowing Him pales in comparison, pushing Watts to surrender and boast only in Christ.  Even if Watts owned everything in the universe, it would not be enough to repay Jesus for His kindness.

Tomlin’s version leaves out Verse 2.  However, he adds that Jesus’ children received His grace, prompting us to worship.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

All the lyrics on both versions perfectly align with God’s inspired Word.

Watts’ lyrics are public domain.  Tomlin’s version posted with permission*

[Verse 1]

When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,

Watts remembers what Jesus did for him on the cross: dying for his lawbreaking (Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, John 19:30, Acts 4:12, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15-26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9).

1 Corinthians 2:8 references Him as the “Lord of glory”, which is similar to Watts’ “Prince of glory”.

my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Compared to knowing Christ, earthly riches and worldly pursuits are worthless (Philippians 3:8-10).

[Verse 2]

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!

Watts’ only boast is the work of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:31 and Galatians 6:14).

All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.

Watts surrenders to Jesus (Psalm 43:5, Isaiah 64:8, Matthew 10:38, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34-38, Mark 10:28, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27, John 15:1-11, Romans 6:13, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:7-10, and 1 Peter 5:6).

[Verse 3]

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?

Refers to the holes in Jesus’ hands, feet, and side where He was nailed and speared (John 20:27), as well as the crown of thorns on His head (Matthew 27:29, Mark 15:17, and John 19:1-3).  He did this because He loves (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-8, and 1 John 5:8-10).

[Verse 4]

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.

The entire universe is not a gift that is befitting the majesty and glory that is God.  Chiefly, because it already belongs to Him (Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 4:39, Deuteronomy 10:14, Joshua 2:11, Nehemiah 9:6, Psalm 29:10, Psalm 45:6, Psalm 50:7-15, Psalm 93:1-2, Psalm 115:3, Psalm 135:6, Isaiah 43:13, Isaiah 45:9-10, Isaiah 46:10, Lamentations 5:19, Daniel 4:35, Romans 9:19-21, Ephesians 1:11, Hebrews 1:8, James 4:15, Revelation 4:11, and Revelation 20:11).

Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

He demands that Watts walks like Jesus did (Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 4:1, Philippians 1:27, Colossians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2, 2 Thessalonians 1:11, 2 Timothy 1:9, and 1 John 2:6).

[Chorus (Tomlin’s version)]

O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross

Essentially repeats Verse 1, line 1.

Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live

Essentially repeats Verse 4, lines 3 and 4.

O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross

Repeats line 1.

All who gather here by grace draw near and bless
Your name

Those of us gathered together in worship do so because we have received His undeserved favor (Luke 18:9-14, Acts 13:39, Romans 3:20-30, Romans 4:1-7, Romans 8:3, Romans 9:16, Romans 9:31-32, Romans 11:6, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 3:10-12, Galatians 3:21, Galatians 5:2-4, Ephesians 2:8-9, Philippians 3:3-9, 2 Timothy 1:9, Hebrews 6:1-2, and James 2:10-11).

[Bridge (Tomlin’s version}]

Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all

Repeats Verse 4, lines 3 and 4.

That’s the beauty in His name
That’s the glory of the pain
One love for God

See commentary on Chorus, lines 4 and 5.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Verse 1’s opening lines that mention the cross and the death of the “Prince of glory” makes it obvious that this song is Christian. Though the lyrics are heavily Christianese and softly Ye Olde English, Watts wrote them in a way that unbelievers with the most basic understanding of Christianity could piece together his message of love, sacrifice, and surrender.

Tomlin’s version is somewhat easier on the eyes and adds blessing His name due to His undeserved favor.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

Both versions glorify Jesus as the One deserving all honor, glory, praise, and obedience because He loved us through sacrifice. In turn, we bend the knee to His will.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Isaac Watts’ When I Survey the Wondrous Cross is a great song, worthy of Tomlin’s cover. Watts’ version is linguistically rich, yet, not outside the realm of unbeliever interpretation. He speaks of Christ crucified, that He is more valuable than worldly gain, his boast is Christ alone, and will capitulate in obedience. While Tomlin’s version does not contain Watts’ boasting, it adds grace received by those who are His, resulting in worship. It also tones down Watts’ Christianese language, making interpretation easier for unbelievers. Both versions glorify God.

I highly recommend either version for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (listen to Keith & Kristyn Getty’s version of this song), covered as The Wonderful Cross (listen to the song)

Artist: Isaac Watts, covered by Chris Tomlin (Matt Redman)

Album: N/A (Watts), The Noise We Make (Tomlin)

Genre: Hymn

Release Year: 1707 (Watts), 2001 (Tomlin)

Duration: N/A (Watts), 7:08 (Tomlin)

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