A Story on the Hymn, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” by William Petersen

Whenever Isaac Watts wanted a hymn to go with a sermon or a special service that he was leading, he would write one. He ended up writing more than six hundred hymns; today he is known as “The Father of English Hymnody.”

So when he needed a hymn for a Communion service one Sunday morning, he wrote “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” Some have called it “the finest hymn in the English language.” The words vividly depict the scene at Calvary and the dying Savior. And the rich, grave tones of the music impress upon us the seriousness of Christ’s sacrificial death. What shall we offer to God in grateful return for his gracious gift? All that we are and have is but a small offering in return for such great love.

Scriptures: John 19:17-18; Galatians 6:14; Philippians 3:7-9

Themes: Cross, God’s Love, Dedication

Lyrics of the Hymn:

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.

By ISAAC WATTS (1674–1748)

Reference for the Hymn:

Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 143-144). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

A Story on the Hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” by William Petersen

Thomas Chisholm certainly had his share of disappointments in life. Born in a crude log cabin in Kentucky, he never had a chance to attend high school or college. His health was fragile, forcing him to resign as a Methodist minister after only one year. He began writing, but received more than his share of rejection letters. Even when his poems were published, he seldom received any money for them.

At the age of fifty-seven, he wrote the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” based on the verses in Lamentations that say, “His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness” (3:22-23, KJV). Later, when he was asked how he came to write the hymn, he said there were no special circumstances surrounding it, but he simply wrote about God’s faithfulness from studying the Bible.

Scriptures: Psalm 36:5-7; Lamentations 3:22-25; James 1:17
Themes: Faithfulness, God’s Mercy, Assurance

Lyrics of the Hymn:
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! [Chorus]

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

By THOMAS OBEDIAH CHISHOLM (1866–1960) Copyright © 1923. Renewal 1951 by Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Reference for the Hymn:
Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (p. 393). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

A Story on the Hymn, “O Happy Day,” by William Petersen

Few church songs have gone through such a variety of renditions as this one. Philip Doddridge would never have recognized the Hawkins’ Youth Choir’s African-American arrangement, which put the song on the charts in the late 1960s.

Doddridge went through a lot of changes himself. His mother was a Lutheran, but both his mother and his father died by the time he was thirteen. Orphaned, he went to live with a Presbyterian minister. Later he studied in an Anglican school but decided instead to become a Congregational minister.

Although he wrote many hymns, Doddridge was reluctant to have any of them published. So “O Happy Day” wasn’t put into print until 1755, four years after his death. The refrain was not added until a hundred years later when an anonymous author added, “Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away,” and set it to a popular tune of the day.

We have a feeling that Doddridge wouldn’t have minded, as long as the theology wasn’t changed. “ ’Tis done: the great transaction’s done; I am my Lord’s, and He is mine.” That’s enough to make all of us sing, “O happy day.”

Scriptures: Psalm 40:16; Isaiah 61:10; Philippians 4:4
Themes: Testimony, Salvation, Joy

Lyrics of the Hymn:
O happy day that fixed my choice on
Thee, my Savior and my God!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
and tell its raptures all abroad.

Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed
my sins away!
He taught me how to watch and pray and
live rejoicing every day.
Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed
my sins away! [Chorus]

O happy bond, that seals my vows to
Him who merits all my love!
Let cheerful anthems fill His house,
While to that sacred shrine I move.

’Tis done: the great transaction’s done; I
am my Lord’s, and He is mine;
He drew me and I followed on, charmed to
confess the voice divine.

Now rest, my long-divided heart; fixed
on this blissful center, rest;
Nor ever from my Lord depart, with
Him of ev’ry good possessed.
By PHILIP DODDRIDGE (1702–1751)

Reference for the Hymn:
Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 622-623). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

A Story on the Hymn, “Just as I Am,” by William Petersen

Charlotte Elliott seemed to have everything going for her as a young woman. She was gifted as a portrait artist and also as a writer of humorous verse. Then in her early thirties she suffered a serious illness that left her weak and depressed. During her illness, a noted minister, Dr. Caesar Malan of Switzerland, came to visit her. Noticing her depression, he asked if she had peace with God. She resented the question and said she did not want to talk about it.

But a few days later she apologized to Dr. Malan. She said that she wanted to clean up some things in her life before becoming a Christian. Malan looked at her and answered, “Come just as you are.” That was enough for Charlotte Elliott, and she yielded herself to the Lord that day.

Fourteen years later, remembering those words spoken to her by Caesar Malan in Brighton, England, she wrote this simple hymn that has been used to touch the hearts of millions who have also responded to Christ’s invitation to come just as they are.

Scriptures: Psalm 51:1-2; John 1:29; John 3:16; John 6:35-38
Themes: Surrender, Dedication, Invitation, Salvation

Lyrics of the Hymn:
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God I come! I come!

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God I come! I come!

Just as I am, tho’ tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings within, and fears without,
O Lamb of God I come! I come!

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind,
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God I come! I come!

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God I come! I come!

Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Hath broken ev’ry barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea Thine alone,
O Lamb of God I come! I come!

Just as I am, of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, the height to prove,
Here for a season then above,
O Lamb of God I come! I come!
By CHARLOTTE ELLIOTT (1789–1871)

Reference for the Hymn:
Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 345-346). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

A Story on the Hymn, “The Comforter Has Come,” by William Petersen

Few verses in the New Testament have been translated in as many ways as John 14:16. In the King James Version, which the songwriter Frank Bottome used, Jesus tells his disciples, “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.” The Greek word translated “Comforter” is parakletos. Other versions have translated the word as “Counselor,” “Advocate,” “Encourager,” “Helper,” “Friend,” or “Someone to stand beside you.” Putting them all together, we get the idea of what the Holy Spirit can do for us.

This songwriter was not concerned about which one was the correct translation. He simply wanted to share the excitement that the Holy Spirit has come, dwells in us, and is ready to help us and guide us. Just as the Holy Spirit transformed those fearful disciples into bold witnesses for Jesus Christ, so can he transform us. Yes, it is exciting news that the Comforter has come.

Scriptures: John 7:39; John 14:16; Acts 2:1
Themes: Holy Spirit, Hope, Comforter

Lyrics of the Hymn:
O spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found,
Wherever human hearts and human woes abound;
Let ev’ry Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound;
The Comforter has come!

The Comforter has come, the Comforter has come!
The Holy Ghost from heav’n—the Father’s promise giv’n;
O spread the tidings round, wherever man is found—
The Comforter has come! [Chorus]

The long, long night is past; the morning breaks at last,
And hushed the dreadful wail and fury of the blast,
As o’er the golden hills the day advances fast!
The Comforter has come!
By FRANK BOTTOME (1823–1894)

Reference for the Hymn:
Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 432-434). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

A Story on the Hymn, “I am Thine, O Lord,” by William Petersen

The composer of the music to this gospel song was known for many things other than gospel music. He was an inventor, a businessman who owned a large woodworking machinery plant in Cincinnati, and a respected civic leader. He was on his way to accumulating a fortune. But what William Doane enjoyed most was serving as Sunday school superintendent at his church and writing music. He became Fanny Crosby’s principal collaborator in writing gospel songs.

One evening as Fanny Crosby visited his home in Cincinnati, they were talking about what a wonderful thing it is to enjoy the nearness of God, to feel his presence, to delight in his love. Suddenly Fanny Crosby, the famous blind songwriter, stopped and said she had an idea for a song. Line by line, verse by verse, she dictated it to him. The next morning, Doane added the music.

Fanny Crosby found delight in writing gospel songs; William Doane found delight serving as a Christian businessman. But both agreed that there was no delight that equaled the delight of enjoying the presence of God.

Scriptures: Psalm 73:28; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 10:22; James 4:7-8
Themes: Consecration, Prayer

Lyrics of the Hymn:
I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side. (Chorus)

Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

O, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend!

There are depths of love that I cannot know,
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.
By FANNY JANE CROSBY (1820–1915)

Reference for the Hymn:
Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 337-338). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

A Story on the Hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy,” by William Petersen

Reginald Heber was always trying to improve the music at the Anglican church he served in Hodnet, England. Though his superiors frowned on the use of anything but metrical psalms, Heber introduced hymns by Newton and Cowper and even wrote new hymns of his own. Many of our hymnals still carry three or four of Heber’s hymns, including “Holy, Holy, Holy,” which the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson called the world’s greatest hymn.

After serving sixteen years as a parish priest in England, Heber accepted the call to become the bishop of Calcutta, India. He served in Calcutta for only three years before he died at the age of forty-three. Whether in England, as he surveyed the prevalence of vice, or in India, where he was surrounded by the worship of false gods, Heber was impressed with the holiness of God. “Only Thou art holy,” he wrote. The tune to which this hymn is usually sung is called “Nicaea,” named after the church council that met in 325 A.D. which formulated the Nicene Creed and affirmed the doctrine of the Trinity.

Scriptures: Psalm 145:9-13; Isaiah 6:1-7; Revelation 4:8-11
Themes: Holiness of God, Trinity, Worship

Lyrics of the Hymn:
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert and art and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy—there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in pow’r, in love and purity. 

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

By REGINALD HEBER (1783–1826)

Reference for the Hymn:
Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 380-381). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.