Behold What Wondrous Grace (The Glories of Adoption)

"Behold What Wondrous Grace," often subtitled "The Glories of Adoption," is a hymn by Isaac Watts first published in Hymns and Spiritual Songs (1707). The hymn is based primarily on 1 John 3:1, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." In this text, Watts celebrates one of the most precious blessings of salvation, namely, the believer's adoption into the family of God. The hymn invites Christians to marvel at the extraordinary love that has transformed sinners into beloved children of the heavenly Father.

The opening stanza expresses astonishment at the greatness of divine grace. Watts contrasts humanity's natural condition as fallen and sinful with the gracious privilege bestowed upon believers through Christ. That God should not only forgive sinners but also receive them as His own sons and daughters is presented as a truth worthy of continual praise and wonder. This emphasis on grace reflects the evangelical theology that permeates much of Watts's hymnody.

A central theme throughout the hymn is Christian identity. Believers are reminded that their relationship with God has fundamentally changed. Through faith in Christ, they are no longer strangers or enemies but members of God's household and heirs of His promises. Watts highlights both the dignity and the security of this new status. The believer's adoption rests not upon human merit but upon the Father's sovereign love and the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.

The hymn also reflects upon the future hope associated with adoption. Drawing from 1 John 3:2, Watts points to the glorious day when God's children shall see Christ as He is and be transformed into His likeness. Presently, the world may fail to recognize or understand the people of God, yet their true identity and future inheritance are secure in Christ. This hope encourages perseverance, holiness, and joyful expectation amid the trials of earthly life.

"The Glories of Adoption" remains one of Isaac Watts's most cherished hymns on the believer's relationship with God. Its rich scriptural foundation, warm devotional spirit, and emphasis on the Father's love continue to inspire worshipers to rejoice in the privilege of being called the children of God.