And Can It Be, That I Should Gain? by Charles Wesley
"After 50 years of active ministry, Charles Wesley was nearing journey’s end. (He died on March 29th) On his deathbed, he quoted one of his greatest hymns, And Can It Be? It seems to have been written shortly after his conversion in 1738, and was originally entitled Free Grace. The rhetorical questions of the first stanza are meant as an expression of sheer wonderment. The second stanza below (actually the third in the hymn) is absolutely stunning. It is virtually unmatched in our hymnody as a poetic expression of the liberating power of the gospel." http://wordwisehymns.com/2010/03/28/today-in-1788-charles-wesley-dying/
Sung by large congregation with the traditional melody - beautiful! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQeIGbKqiw8
Here's my new favorite rendition - so powerful, immensely humbling as undeserved grace is revealed and proclaimed. http://journeyonmusic.net/track/and-can-it-be
And can it be that I should gain
An int'rest 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, should die for me?
Refrain:
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!
'Tis mystery all! Th'Immortal dies!
Who can explore His 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. [Refrain]
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. [Refrain]
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee. [Refrain]
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. [Refrain]
Amen.
Sing Joyfully, 1989
http://www.hymnary.org/text/and_can_it_be_that_i_should_gain
http://www.hymnary.org/text/and_can_it_be_that_i_should_gain
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