Sr. Isaac Watts: Alas And Did My Savior Bleed
The Old Hymns
Colossians 3:16 (NKJV)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Churches today are getting away from the old Hymns. Which to me is sad.
It was not that long ago that most of the songs sung in the church were
written by men who lived more the 100 years ago. As a kid, I remember
the congregational singing. I admit, strictly singing hymns was very
boring. That says a lot given I was raised in a pentecostal church. I
love the way music is done in churches today with live bands and
choruses. I believe it gives the worshipers a better opportunity to
make an emotional connection with the spirit of God.
That being said, I must admit that I feel a sense of loss. The old
hymns have, to me, an appeal that I don't get from the newer hymns and
choruses. They gave me a since of history and heritage. The old hymns
are a connection to the godly men of the past. They are rich in
doctrine and many times birthed out of persecution.
Knowing that my Father, My Grandfathers and my Great grandfathers
sang these songs gives me a connection to my ancestors this in turn brings
reassurance to my faith. The old Hymn titled "Give Me That Old Time
Religion" says it best " If it was good enough for Grandpa, it is good
enough for me!"
Striking A Balance
I believe that a healthy praise service must be able to balance the
emotions of our spirit and the soberness of God's Word. Give me the
choruses with passionate prayers and appeals that move my heart, along
with, deep doctrinal Hymns that instruct and admonish in righteousness.
Both are necessary.
One of my ministries is leading worship. I play the keyboard and sing.
As a result, I am constantly looking for new songs to add to the
churches worship list. Apart of the screening process is checking out
the words to any given song to make sure there is nothing wrong with it
scripturally or doctrinally. To do this I have to remove the appeal of
the beautiful melody or music and simply examine the words. I have
found that a beautiful melody can mesmerize people masking bad
doctrine. As a result, I tend to pay more attention to words then most.
Learning the old hymns have become a hobby of mine. When I hear one I
really like I try to memorize it.
The following Hymn was pinned by Isaac Watts. He lived between
1674-1748 in England. He wasn't a casual Hymn writer. This is only one
of 750 hymns Mr. Watts wrote in his lifetime.He is considered to be
the Father of English Hymnody. This song is one of my favorites. To me
it is just as moving when you read it, as it is when you sing it. In
fact, it was not until I broke it down to just words that I realized
the richness of what I was singing. I hope you will feel the same.
Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?
Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine—
And bathed in its own blood—
While the firm mark of wrath divine,
His Soul in anguish stood.
Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!
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.
But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give my self away
’Tis all that I can do.
In Christ
ABR