When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

Isaac Watts was born in 1674, the first of nine children. His father, a
well–educated deacon in the dissenting Congregational Church of Southampton, England,
was imprisoned for being a dissenter.

Watts had a bright and inquiring mind. By the age of twelve he had
studied four languages in addition to English. He spoke very easily in rhyme, to the point
of being an irritation to his father, who threatened him with a spanking if he continued.
When Watts continued, his father carried out his threat, after which Issac responded,
"O father, do some pity take, and I will no more verses make."

At the age of 15 he complained to his father about the dull and
uninspired singing by the congregation. (What might he think today?) His father challenged
him to write something better. He preceded to write one new hymn per week for the next two
years. Most of them from the Psalms, including "Jesus Shall Reign," and "O
God, Our Help in Ages Past."

Later he began to write hymns based on Biblical facts and doctrine. In
1707, at the age of thirty-three, he wrote, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross."
Watts ultimately composed over 600 hymns.

Have you surveyed the cross lately?