And Can It Be

Here is the fourth installment in my current blog series of My Favorite Hymns. (For the previous three, see here, here, and here.) And like the other three, I just love this hymn! By the time I get to verse 4, my reserved self wants to throws my arms up and belt it out. This song invokes my own conversion experience, and how Jesus really did come to set me free from sin and death. And in a funny way, I love that a Wesley wrote this. I grew up attending a Methodist church that didn't preach the gospel clearly, but John Wesley and Charles Wesley who started the Methodist movement were such bold preachers and hymn writers. They were not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, and neither am I! Especially when I sing this song. :) Words in bold are my favorite lines of the hymn at the moment.

And Can It Be
Words: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
Music: Thomas Campbell, 1777-1844, Sagina

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore this strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.