The words of a particular old hymn have returned to my mind several times throughout this Good Friday.
Too many modern churches have lost all but the most famous of hymns. Man of Sorrows by Philip Bliss is one I don't believe I have ever heard in a local church worship service. My only exposure to it was at the Urbana Missions Conference I attended when I was in college (long before I ever seriously considered becoming a missionary myself). And yet, I have never forgotten the tune or the power of thousands of voices united in fervently singing:
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood;
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Guilty, vile, and helpless, we,
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full redemption—can it be?
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Lifted up was He to die,
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in heaven exalted high;
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King,
To His kingdom us to bring,
Then anew this song we’ll sing
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Here's a very pleasant version of the hymn on YouTube:
No comments:
Post a Comment