Piano Demo
0:00
Hymnal Number
816Resource Type:
Keys included:
Ab
About this Hymn
Thomas Kelly's strident confidence (he was Irish) in the darkest of moments because of Jesus shines through again in this hymn. The first line sets up the apparent contradiction, then each verse, packed with biblical images, helps us understand how that contradiction speaks to our different vulnerabilities—firstly our sin, then our guilt, gloom, bitterness, weakness, terror, and ultimately death.
Lyrics
Verse 1
We sing the praise of him who died, of him who died upon the cross; the sinner's hope let men deride, for this we count the world but loss.
Verse 2
Inscribed upon the cross we see in shining letters, "God is love"; he bears our sins upon the tree; he brings us mercy from above.
Verse 3
The cross! It takes our guilt away: it holds the fainting spirit up; it cheers with hope the gloomy day and sweetens ev'ry bitter cup.
Verse 4
It makes the coward spirit brave and nerves the feeble arm for fight; it takes its terror from the grave and gilds the bed of death with light.
Verse 5
The balm of life, the cure of woe, the measure and the pledge of love, the sinner's refuge here below, the angels' theme in heav'n above.
We sing the praise of him who died, of him who died upon the cross; the sinner's hope let men deride, for this we count the world but loss.
Verse 2
Inscribed upon the cross we see in shining letters, "God is love"; he bears our sins upon the tree; he brings us mercy from above.
Verse 3
The cross! It takes our guilt away: it holds the fainting spirit up; it cheers with hope the gloomy day and sweetens ev'ry bitter cup.
Verse 4
It makes the coward spirit brave and nerves the feeble arm for fight; it takes its terror from the grave and gilds the bed of death with light.
Verse 5
The balm of life, the cure of woe, the measure and the pledge of love, the sinner's refuge here below, the angels' theme in heav'n above.
Copyrighted lyrics may be used in corporate worship in accordance with a valid CCLI license. Lyrics should be displayed unaltered and include author and copyright information. All other uses require permission from the copyright holder.
Attribution & Copyright
Words: Thomas Kelly, 1815
Music: Adapt. from Ludwig von Beethoven by William Gardiner, 1815
Music: Adapt. from Ludwig von Beethoven by William Gardiner, 1815