Hymns and spiritual songs developed over time.  The Book of Psalms is rich with praise, and chants were used from its words.

In 1674, a man was born who liked verse.  As a young child, he would speak in verse--so much, that his father tired of it and outlawed him from speaking it, spanking him.  Young Isaac Watts is said to have cried out:  "O father, do some pity take, And I will no more verses make."

When he was 15, he started using his talents for the church, but he wasn't satisfied with the music.  When he expressed this to his father, his father said, "Young man, give us something better!"

Isaac Watts went on to write some 600 hymns and some have called him "the father of English hymnody."  One of those hymns was "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross."  He wrote it for a communion service.

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 mingles down;

Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of naturre mine,

That were a present far too small:

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.