Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed
I love the old classic Christian hymns. Their lyrics are usually rich and replete with solid orthodox theology. It’s hard to find contemporary songs like them today. The following hymn ”Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed” was written 300 years ago by Isaac Watts in 1707. I got a bit teary-eyed listening to the music below yesterday. How amazing that the holy, just, righteous God Who spoke this universe into existence would choose to save a wretched sinner as I! To Him be the glory.
Play and listen:
[audio:alas_and_did_my_savior_bleed.mp3]
Lyrics
Alas and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I
Was it for sins that I had done
He groaned upon the tree
Amazing pity, grace unknown
And love beyond degree
My God why would
You shed Your blood
So pure and undefiled
To make a sinful one like me
Your chosen precious child
Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut His glories in
When Christ the mighty Maker died
For man the creature’s sin
Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear Cross appears
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness
And melt my eyes to tears
Music and chorus lyrics by Bob Kauflin
Lyrics by Isaac Watts
You can purchase this song from the album Songs for the Cross Centered Life from Sovereign Grace Ministries.
June 20th, 2007 at 10:58 pm | Permalink
Jessica, good taste! Thanks for posting the song.
June 21st, 2007 at 7:46 am | Permalink
Kauflin did pretty well with his reworking of the hymn. It almost seems too short now, though, since most people seem to be singing it two verses at a time.
Still, it brought some truly God-honoring lyrics into a place where they could help new generations praise Him more fully. I love this hymn, both the old version and the new SG version. Thanks for reminding us of it.
June 21st, 2007 at 5:02 pm | Permalink
Great song. When I became worship leader at my church, this was the first new song that I introduced.
June 22nd, 2007 at 7:44 am | Permalink
Very Cool. : ) I like it a lot.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:05 pm | Permalink
Hi Jessica ,
I enjoy the message of this blessed hymn! The lyrics, as well as the melody, make a bold statement about our Fathers’ almighty, sovereign hand in our otherwise dispicible lives. I like the version which includes the chorus ‘At the Cross’…It was there by grace, I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day!’ Have you tackled this on organ? Its simple to learn. Ultimately sounds great as an acapella ensemble arrangement. We must sing it one time!
Finally , hymns are the best tunes to have ’stuck’ in ones’ head. Amen and Amen!
talk to you soon sister
-Rachel
July 16th, 2007 at 9:23 pm | Permalink
…lol, btw that previous spelling of ‘dispicible’ is QUITE despicable !!
God Bless. Rachel
July 18th, 2007 at 2:26 pm | Permalink
“Dispicible”. Ha ha ha, so funny.
At first glance I actually thought it looked like “discipleable” (like from “disciple”). hehe. Well, I’m glad you like the hymn. No, I have not tackled this on organ yet. I have organ at home, so maybe I’ll practice it. And as you know, I’m learning guitar now.
By the way, I’m listening to your dad’s sermon again online right now… He’s a great Reformed preacher! I don’t get to hear him preach on radio ’cause his program comes on too early at 5 A.M. And at that hour I need my “beauty sleep.” Ha ha
Okay, talk to you again later. Let’s hang out again soon! God bless you sister
July 11th, 2008 at 1:28 pm | Permalink
This is my first time here on your blog. This is one of my favorite hymns. Songs like this make you really understand what David was feeling in the Psalms when he says “When I consider the heavens, and the work of your fingers…” What is man, but a spec in comparison to the massive objects God created. Yet, of all those things that speak of His eternal glory and power, none of them–not the sun, moon, stars or vast oceans–was made in the image and likeness of God. We are valued by God, despite the lack of inherent value in us. Truly amazing that God would be so amazingly kind to those whom He has known and loved before the foundation of the world.
Even though I am wayyyy late, thank you for this.
Grace and Peace
August 8th, 2008 at 11:12 pm | Permalink
Hello M. A. Armstrong,
Thank you so much for writing! It’s never too late to comment.
In fact, it is always encouraging to hear feedback from other Christian brothers/sisters. So thank you. And I am glad that you were also encouraged by the song. 
God bless!
August 17th, 2008 at 9:41 pm | Permalink
Jessica,
I stumbled across your site looking for this song to listen to. It is by far my very favorite hymn. I first heard this version of the song a few years ago as it is sung by Glad. Thank you for posting it. May God bless you richly in the fulness of His Sovereign grace.
Pastor Rob Welty
September 5th, 2008 at 7:12 pm | Permalink
Hi Pastor Welty,
Thanks for visiting my blog. I’m glad you enjoyed the song. I have heard of the Glad group before, but I’ve never heard them sing this song version. It must be nice because I think they sing quite well. I should look for the album sometime. Thanks again for dropping by. May God continue to abundantly bless you also with His wonderful grace.
July 14th, 2009 at 12:57 am | Permalink
What hit me like a trace of bullet was the second line of the song ” And did my sovereign die.” What depth of understanding, MY SOVEREIGN DIED, the one who holds my destiny died, one who orders the cosmos died under sinful filth, the glorious Lord. I realized that the sovereign God does not order things around from his throne, cut away from creation, he works with nature, and the incarnation, life, death and resurrection and ascension of Christ is a testimony to that fact, he will suffer death to do his Holy Will and by the grace of the almighty God we are a part of his will, predestined for salvation beyond the ages from the beginning of God’s ways. WOW WOW, divine sovereignty, a sovereignty worked out, revealed and yet hidden, open and in secret. WHAT AN AWESOME GOD IS THE LIVING GOD. No words to describe it, when I think of myself from this context I’m a laugh “A worm such as I.” More of a virus I should say. Thank you I stumbled upon your blog when I was looking for this hymn.
July 31st, 2009 at 8:29 am | Permalink
Hey Jessica – great blog. Really appreciate your encouragement and passion for God and His word. Ran across your contemporary version of Alas and really liked it. Thought you’d also enjoy another version I’ve used in worship: http://www.igracemusic.com/hymnbook/hymns/a04.html
Click on the MP3 Demo link.
Blessings…