I’ve learned…
"For evil to triumph, good men need only to do nothing."
Charles “Chuck” Swindoll
Isaac Watts, DD (July 17, 1674 – November 25, 1748)
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Isaac Watts
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 a present far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all
Watts wrote some 600 hymns in his lifetime. Some favorite hymns he wrote include, “When I
Survey the Wondrous Cross” "Jesus Shall Reign," "Our God our Help in Ages Past," "I Sing the Mighty Power of God" and
the famous Christmas song "Joy to the World”
As we look at the world, we see many problems-tumult rather than triumph. Our eyes can be grieved
by sin, war, rebellion, and evil. But in 1719, when Isaac Watts looked at the world through eyes of faith, he saw a time when
Bible prophecies had been fulfilled and Jesus ruled over everything! Watts, who was born in 1674, expressed this faith in
a hymn called "Jesus Shall Reign."
"May he also rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth." - Psalm 72:8 NASB
Jesus Shall Reign
Jesus shall reign where’er the sun Does his successive journeys run; His
kingdom stretch from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
Behold the islands with their kings, And Europe her best tribute brings; From north
to south the princes meet, To pay their homage at His feet.
There Persia, glorious to behold, There India shines in eastern gold; And barb’rous
nations at His word Submit, and bow, and own their Lord.
To Him shall endless prayer be made, And praises throng to crown His head; His
Name like sweet perfume shall rise With every morning sacrifice.
People and realms of every tongue Dwell on His love with sweetest song; And infant
voices shall proclaim Their early blessings on His Name.
Blessings abound wherever He reigns; The prisoner leaps to lose his chains; The
weary find eternal rest, And all the sons of want are blessed.
Where He displays His healing power, Death and the curse are known no more: In
Him the tribes of Adam boast More blessings than their father lost.
Let every creature rise and bring Peculiar honors to our King; Angels descend with
songs again, And earth repeat the loud amen!
Great God, whose universal sway The known and unknown worlds obey, Now give the
kingdom to Thy Son, Extend His power, exalt His throne.
The scepter well becomes His hands; All Heav’n submits to His commands; His
justice shall avenge the poor, And pride and rage prevail no more.
With power He vindicates the just, And treads th’oppressor in the dust: His
worship and His fear shall last Till hours, and years, and time be past.
As rain on meadows newly mown, So shall He send his influence down: His grace on
fainting souls distills, Like heav’nly dew on thirsty hills.
The heathen lands, that lie beneath The shades of overspreading death, Revive at
His first dawning light; And deserts blossom at the sight.
The saints shall flourish in His days, Dressed in the robes of joy and praise; Peace,
like a river, from His throne Shall flow to nations yet unknown.
Click Here to Return to the Home Page Directory
|