As I was writing about mindful worship this weekend, I was thinking of the hymn "And Can It Be That I Should Gain," by Charles Wesley, as a specific example of such intelligent praise. To my pleasant surprise, we sang it in church on Sunday. It bears repeating here, as it's worthy of more meditation than I can muster during one sing-through:
And Can It Be That I Should Gain
by Charles Wesley, 1738
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.
He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Wow! As much as I enjoy some of the contemporary songs out there, the old Christian hymns are a rich heritage I hope we never forsake.
Share
Monday, November 8, 2010
3 comments:
Please be polite. If you would like to leave a comment without entering personal information online, you can choose the "Anonymous" option from the drop-down list. If you would like to be informed of follow-up comments on this post, click on the Subscribe By Email link to the bottom right (you must be logged into Google to do this). Thanks for commenting!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Thank you for sharing that beautiful hymn that rings out with words of truth and life. Definitely a work that one can find much benefit from meditating on. There is a certain depth I've found that oftentimes are unique to hymns. I share your appreciation of them and am always happy when they come out in our worship at our church. There are many great contemporary songs, but nothing can replace the hymns of the past that shine throughout history with an enduring vigor.
ReplyDelete~many blessings
the link is here this time! I already mentioned on the fb page that I want this hymn to be sung at my funeral! Another one that really speaks to me is one that you choose for your wedding, "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing!" BJM
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jessica! Are you familiar with Fernando Ortega? He's got lots of new stuff, but he's also very good at playing old hymns, with the traditional music, but...freshened up a bit, if that makes sense. One of my favourites of his is Jesus, Lover of My Soul.
ReplyDeleteMom, I'm not sure that I did know that was a request of yours...I'll make note of it now! I know Dad's is Great is Thy Faithfulness, and of course I love Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing! :-)