Scripture Verse

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 6:14

Introduction

illustration
Raising of the Cross
James J. J. Tissot
1836–1902

Words: Is­aac Watts, Hymns and Spi­ri­tu­al Songs 1707. Cru­ci­fix­ion to the world by the cross of Christ. Charles Wes­ley re­port­ed­ly said he would give up all his oth­er hymns to have writ­ten this one.

Music: Ham­burg Lo­well Ma­son, 1824. First pub­lished in The Bos­ton Han­del and Hay­dn So­ci­e­ty Col­lec­tion of Church Mu­sic, third ed­i­tion, 1825 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

portrait
Isaac Watts
1674–1748

Lyrics

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?

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

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.

To Christ, who won for sinners grace
By bitter grief and anguish sore,
Be praise from all the ransomed race
Forever and forevermore.