Good Friday & Hymns

I think some of the best hymns that ever written were written on the theme of the cross, Christ's passion & death and what all these meant to us. Two of my favourites were penned by Issac Watts.

 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 crimes that I have done,
he groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide,
and shut its glories in,
when God, the mighty maker, died
for man the creature's sin.


But drops of tears can ne'er repay
the debt of love I owe.
Here, Lord, I give myself away;
'tis all that I can do. 

 When I survey the wondrous cross 
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all. 

Some people found the word 'worm' offensive in the 1st hymn and removed it and substitute it with 'sinner'. I prefer the original which is more graphic. The more wretched we see ourselves, the more precious will the grace of God be to us.

'Two things are needed to humble us. First, let us consider God in His greatness, glory, holiness, power, majesty and authority. Then, let us consider ourselves in our mean, abject, and sinful condition - especially our enmity against God, which still remains in our heart'. (John Owen)

Our response to His grace - Both the hymns come to the same conclusion. Ourselves, our lives.

Some other notable hymns on the same theme;

O, Sacred Head Now Wounded

The Old Rugged Cross

Hallelujah! What a Saviour

There is a Fountain