Fearured Hymn: March 18

Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed

The first two stanzas of this hymn address the same paradox that Paul wrote about in Romans: “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8 ESV) Isaac Watts shows the contrast very powerfully:

“When Christ, the mighty Maker, died

For man, the creature's sin.”

The only appropriate response to the realization that such selfless sacrifice on the part of a perfect God was for the sake of the imperfect, selfish creatures we know ourselves to be is total surrender. We know we can never repay our debt of gratitude, so we sing:

“Here, Lord, I give myself away;

'Tis all that I can do.”

View worship notes, composer biographies, historical information and more about this featured hymn at www.hymnary.org.