The Wonderful Cross
Chris Tomlin & Matt Redman Lyrics
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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 CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: CHRIS TOMLIN, J.D. WALT, JESSE REEVES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind