In 2008, after five solo album releases, and nine with Passion, Tomlin made the move from Texas to Atlanta to be a worship leader for Giglio’s new church, Passion City Church, with its first service being held in February of 2009. Tomlin has since released four solo worship albums, two Christmas albums, and one live album.
In 2013, Tomlin’s seventh album Burning Light debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart, becoming only the fourth album by a Christian artist to top that chart, along with Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace) by Bob Carlisle, You Light Up My Life by LeeAnn Rimes, both in 1997, and TobyMac's Eye On It in 2012.
Tomlin has recorded some of the most famous songs ever in Christian music, such as How Great Is Our God, Holy Is The Lord, Our God, and Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)
Throughout his successful career, Tomlin has won 22 GMA Dove Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, and a Grammy.
Chris Tomlin’s discography: The Noise We Make (2001)Not To Us (2002)Arriving (2004)Live From Austin Music Hall (2005)See The Morning (2006)Hello Love (2008)Glory In The Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship (2009) And If Our God Is For Us… (2010)How Great Is Our God: The Essential Collection (2011)Burning Lights (2013) Love Ran Red (2014)Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship (2015) Never Lose Sight (2016)
Wonderful Cross The
Chris Tomlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain, I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
See from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet?
Oh the wonderful Cross, oh the wonderful Cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
Oh the wonderful Cross, oh the wonderful Cross
All who gather here by grace, draw near and bless Your name
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all
Oh the wonderful Cross, oh the wonderful Cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
Oh the wonderful Cross, oh the wonderful Cross
All who gather here by grace, draw near and bless Your name
Oh the wonderful Cross, oh the wonderful Cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all
It's the beauty and the shame
It's the glory and the name
Wonderful Cross
Oh the wonderful Cross, oh the wonderful Cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
Oh the wonderful Cross, oh the wonderful Cross
All who gather here by grace, draw near and bless Your name
Oh the wonderful Cross, oh the wonderful Cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
Chris Tomlin's song The Wonderful Cross is a deeply spiritual song that reflects on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. The opening lines of the song - "When I survey the wondrous Cross, On which the Prince of Glory died," refer to the hymn "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" by Isaac Watts. The hymn's opening line inspired the title of Tomlin's song and sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The first verse of the song reflects on how Jesus' death on the cross is a reminder of the limits of worldly gain and the importance of humility. The second verse talks about the physical toll of Jesus' sacrifice and how His love and sorrow are intertwined. The chorus of the song emphasizes the significance of the cross in bringing new life to believers and as a place to gather and worship.
The final verse highlights the impact of Jesus' sacrifice on the songwriter's life, and how it demands his soul, life and all. The final lines - "It's the beauty and the shame, It's the glory and the name, Wonderful Cross" - speak to the paradoxical nature of Jesus' death and how it's both a beautiful and shameful thing. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the power of the cross to bring new life and inspire worship, as well as a reminder that all who gather to worship should do so in grace and with the desire to bless God's name.
Overall, The Wonderful Cross is a powerful and moving song that reflects on the themes of sacrifice, humility, and the transformative power of faith.
Line by Line Meaning
When I survey the wondrous Cross
As I examine the incredible sacrifice of the Cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
Where the royalty of the Messiah met death
My richest gain, I count but loss
I understand that my earthly treasures pale in comparison
And pour contempt on all my pride
I reject my sinful self-importance
See from His head, His hands, His feet
Observe the wounds from the crucifixion
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Both sadness and compassion pour out
Did ever such love and sorrow meet?
Could there ever be a greater combination of love and pain?
Or thorns compose, so rich a crown
That a wreath of thorns could serve as a symbol of glory is remarkable
Oh the wonderful Cross, oh the wonderful Cross
The Cross is amazing, remarkable, and worthy of praise
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
Invites me to abandon my selfish ways and experience true life in Christ
All who gather here by grace, draw near and bless Your name
All those who have been saved by grace come together to give You praise
Were the whole realm of nature mine
Even if I owned all of creation
That were an offering far too small
Such an offering would not be enough
Love so amazing, so divine
Such an incredible love, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all
It commands my entire being
It's the beauty and the shame
It's both profoundly beautiful and shocking
It's the glory and the name
It's where God's glory and His name intersect
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: CHRIS TOMLIN, J.D. WALT, JESSE REEVES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@d3571
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
See From His Head, His Hands, His Feet
Sorrow And Love Flow Mingled Down
Did Ever Such Love And Sorrow Meet?
Or Thorns Compose, So Rich A Crown
Oh The Wonderful Cross, Oh The Wonderful Cross
Bids Me Come And Die And Find That I May Truly Live
Oh The Wonderful Cross, Oh The Wonderful Cross
All Who Gather Here By Grace, Draw Near And Bless Your Name
Were The Whole Realm Of Nature Mine
That Were An Offering Far Too Small
Love So Amazing, So Divine
Demands My Soul, My Life, My All
Oh The Wonderful Cross, Oh The Wonderful Cross
Bids Me Come And Die And Find That I May Truly Live
Oh The Wonderful Cross, Oh The Wonderful Cross
All Who Gather Here By Grace, Draw Near And Bless Your Name
Oh The Wonderful Cross, Oh The Wonderful Cross
Bids Me Come And Die And Find That I May Truly Live
Love So Amazing, So Divine
Demands My Soul, My Life, My All
It’s The Beauty And The Shame
It’s The Glory And The Name
Wonderful Cross
Oh The Wonderful Cross, Oh The Wonderful Cross
Bids Me Come And Die And Find That I May Truly Live
Oh The Wonderful Cross, Oh The Wonderful Cross
All Who Gather Here By Grace, Draw Near And Bless Your Name
Oh The Wonderful Cross, Oh The Wonderful Cross
Bids Me Come And Die And Find That I May Truly Live
@davidmellott8298
The presence of the lord is so strong in this music. I love the lord.
@elisabethBaker-wo6vu
Amen. It reminds of my father Rev. Dh baker who was buried in the punchbowl cemetery in Hawaii. My father was hospitalized in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia off & on for years for experimental back surgery by radical Islamic doctors.
@elisabethBaker-wo6vu
Christian worship music is a weapon to drive out demons.
@adelevanderspuy
Lovely song! Glory to God!
@karenstephenson6668
I just love this song! JESUS paid it all for us.❤
@patiencemburu1663
Amazing song. More Grace to serve God
@oniquecony2146
Inside the cross is full of such deep meaning, there is suffering for the sake of saving sinful humans
Praise God I am one of those who are saved
Thank you Jesus
God bless you Christ and Your fam
@sharhondajohnson8023
Yes glory go Chris Tomlin great song great collab ft. Matt Redman. The Wonderful Cross is a very inspirational uplifting spiritual encouraging song. I love it listening on Fri. 1-14-2022.
@jckandul1981
The hymn was written by Isaac Watts. And glory to God, not people.
@shirleyhinojosa9377
What an awesome song Chris Tomlin