The story behind the hymn
Isaac Watts wrote this hymn as a communion hymn and published it in 1707 in Hymns and Spiritual Songs. It originally had five stanzas. The form most churches sing today, with four, was popularised by George Whitefield in the next generation.
The usual tune, HAMBURG, was composed by Lowell Mason in 1824. Other tunes such as ROCKINGHAM and O WALY WALY are also used. John Julian’s Dictionary of Hymnology ranked it among the four most prominent hymns in English.
Watts’s original included a verse that echoed Galatians 6:14. The hymn’s whole point is that, once we have really looked at the cross, our proud boasting looks small.
The Scripture behind it
But far be it from me to 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 (World English Bible)
A short reflection
The hymn is a pause: “when I survey.” Looking carefully at the cross changes what we value. Try spending five quiet minutes reading Mark 15 and letting that question settle.
Lord, let me see the cross clearly, and give you my whole heart. Amen.
The full words
Read the full words of this hymn, with tunes and scores, on Hymnary.org.
Read the full hymn text →Source for author, dates and public-domain status: Hymnary.org. Scripture quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).