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:
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