The wondrous cross…

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.

Isaac Watts

“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The words of this old hymn have kept coming to mind the last few days and I have found myself singing the words at various times of the day.

The words are so powerful and inspired by the verses in Galatians.

I wonder if Isaac Watts thought we would still be singing these words 300 years after he wrote them.

This hymn was ground breaking at the time though and introduced a new way for congregants to sing and worship God.

It was born out of frustration with how things were and changed church worship music and opened the door for creative writing of sung worship other than the Psalms.

I pray that our praise and worship will not grow stale and repetitive but will be inspired by the Living Word and powerful.

Let us sing unto the Lord a new song.

Let His praises be in our hearts and on our lips.

Let us sing a new song today to our Lord and Saviour.

Lord as you stirred Isaac Watts to create new songs and hymns giving words to glorify you then stir hearts today to release songs of praise giving all the glory, honour and worth to you and you alone.

Singing the way to victory.

“For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
It’s the season of song breaking out and giving voice about the King of Glory.

It’s the season of victorious praise.

It’s the season of the battle song.