Getty Music: HYMNS & DEVOTIONS FOR HOLY WEEK

It is Friday. The forces of darkness have conspired to arrest Jesus, the innocent one. They put the Judge of the universe on trial. They convict the blameless one of blasphemy. They crown the Creator with thorns and enthrone the King of kings upon a brutal cross.

How should we respond to this moment, the most profound in all of history? Consider Isaac Watts’ timeless hymn, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.”

Verse 1 teaches us to respond with a radical revaluation of what truly matters. Since the Prince of Glory has poured out his precious blood to save us, “my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.”

Verse 2 leads us to humble worship. We cannot boast in anything—our merits, our works, our achievements—except the death of Christ our God (Gal 6:14). So we sacrifice the charms of this life for his sake.

Verse 3 beckons us to awestruck wonder. “Did e’er such love and sorrow meet?” Christ’s agony shows the depth of judgment our sins deserved. His outstretched hands show the breadth of his compassion for those he came to save.

Finally, Verse 4 moves us to total consecration. He gave himself for us. Now we give ourselves to him: “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!”

We invite you to take a few moments this Good Friday to reflect on “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross <https://gettymusic.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=aa4cd9a5b4688d5ec76f457cb&id=3dd640bfcf&e=843a733a52> ,” a new arrangement from the Gettys’ album “Confessio: Irish American Roots <https://gettymusic.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=aa4cd9a5b4688d5ec76f457cb&id=b242fe45cb&e=843a733a52> .”