The Faughn Family of Four

Thursday Hymn Reflection: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”

Posted on August 5, 2010 by Adam Faughn • 2 Comments

[Each Thursday, we "reflect" on a hymn suggested by our readers. Please add your favorites in the comments and we'll put them on our upcoming list.]

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One of the most well-respected hymns of all time, Isaac Watts’ “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” was first published in 1707, and continues to be sung around the world. In fact, it is reported that Charles Wesley once stated that he would have given up all his other hymns to have written this one. (cyberhymal.org)

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” was one of the earliest songs in English hymn history to break from simply singing Scripture or paraphrases of Scripture. While part of the song does paraphrase Paul’s words in Galatians 6:14, most of the hymn’s text is original poetry. It was one of the first songs in England to be sung widely despite this change, and, due to its success, it is one of the main reasons why most songs over the past 300 years have been original poems instead of simply quotations from Scripture.

The song originally had five verses. Most modern song books omit the original fourth verse, although the book Praise for the Lord still includes all five original verses.

The words to Watts’ hymn are powerful and picturesque. Very few songs can convey emotion the way these words do, and very few can stand the test of time the way this hymn has. The words, now over 300 years old, continue to express our thoughts as we look to the cross of Jesus.

Watts tried to convey the contrast between the amazing act of Calvary, and our own sinfulness. In fact, that is the basis of four of the five verses. The lone exception is the third verse (“See, from His head…”), where the singers are truly “surveying” the cross, and the focus is all on that act. In that verse, there is no change back to thinking of self.

My favorite verse, ironically, is the one that is most often left out: the original fourth verse. While I am not a poet, I think the words to that verse are some of the most expressive ever written.

I think most people love how the song ends, as we have taken a look at Calvary and we state what our response needs to be in these words: “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” Reflective of the “greatest command,” Watts helps us express that living for God is not only demanding, but it demands everything we have.

Here are the words to all five original verses from the song I think is Isaac Watts’ masterpiece:

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?

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

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As you share your comments, enjoy this a cappella version of of the song by the Gaither Vocal Band.

Filed Under: Hymn Reflections

Thursday Hymn Reflection: “There’s a Rainbow in the Cloud”

Posted on July 29, 2010 by Adam Faughn • 3 Comments

[Each Thursday, we "reflect" on a hymn suggested by our readers. Our list is now down to less than 12 songs, so if you want your "in queue," leave a comment with up to three suggestions and we'll add them to our list for upcoming posts!]

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Taking the picture of God’s promise to Noah and giving it a modern application, Alton Howard’s 1973 song “There’s a Rainbow in the Cloud” is a great song of faith and trust in God. While not sung in many parts of the country (as far as I can tell), the song has a similar message to many others hymns which show our faith in God due to His never-failing nature.

As Noah came off the ark, God placed a rainbow in the sky. That “bow” was a sign to Noah, and to the rest of mankind, that God would never destroy the world via water again. While God will destroy the world at the end of time, it will not be through the agency of water. Instead, fire will be used to consume everything we know as material.

There are times when floods still come. We in Nashville know that, for sure! But, as the waters rise, we can still trust God that these waters are not the end of time. He has never failed to keep a promise, and He will always remain faithful to His Word.

Howard’s song is classic in that its three verses move from the storms of life in verses 1 and 2, to the fact that our problems are just temporary in verse 3. Paul wrote that are afflictions are “momentary” (2 Corinthians 4:17), and once endured, lead to glory. That’s the whole point of Alton Howard’s great hymn.

Here are the words to the three verses, followed by the chorus:

As I journey here mid the toil and tears,

There’s a rainbow in cloud;

He will safely lead, I must have no fear,

There’s a rainbow in the cloud.

When the way seems dark and the night grows long,

There’s a rainbow in the cloud;

When my way grows drear and no friend seems near,

There’s a rainbow in the cloud.

When the storms all pass, comes a brighter day.

There’s a rainbow in the cloud;

In that City fair there’s a crown to wear,

There’s a rainbow in the cloud.

There’s a rainbow that is shining,

There’s a rainbow in the cloud;

When life’s race is run and the vict’ry’s won,

There’s a rainbow in the cloud.

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Enjoy this clip from Jamaica of the hymn:

Filed Under: Hymn Reflections

Thursday Hymn Reflection: “And Can It Be?”

Posted on July 22, 2010 by Adam Faughn • 6 Comments

[NOTE: Each Thursday, we "reflect" on a hymn suggested by our readers. If you would like to add yours to our list--which is now dwindling!--leave a comment with up to three of your favorites, and we'll add them to our upcoming schedule.]

Originally six verses from the pen of Charles Wesley, “And Can It Be?” is usually three verses today, and has two very distinct tunes that are usually associated with it. In most hymnals, the music is from Thomas Campbell, while the more “devotional” version is usually not attributed to anyone except an “arranger,” because it has just developed over the years.

This classic hymn has the singer marveling at the power and love of God, and asking how we are worthy of the grace and sacrifice He gave to us through His Son. While it is a common idea in hymn-writing, this song may state it better than any other. The song also shares the fact that it was our sins that put Christ on the cross (“Died He for me, who caused His pain/ for me who scorned His perfect love?”).

You may think that my favorite line is the one that talks of “Adam’s race,” but it’s not. My favorite part of the song is how it “turns” from our helpless state without Christ to the beginning of the 3rd verse: “Boldly I come before your throne.” What a change the cross of Christ makes in our life!

I am amazed that this song continues to be sung by young people. The wording is quite formal, and it is very deep. I think this song stands in stark contrast to most of the songs young people sing, but they love it because of the chorus that the devotional “version” adds: “Amazing love, how can it be, that you, my God, would die for me?” That is a wonderful question to ask.

Following are all 6 original verses from Charles Wesley. If you are familiar with the devotional version of this song, go through this poem and notice how it came from several different places in his original piece.

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 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.
’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.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

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.

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Enjoy two versions of this song (both are the devotional tune). The first is by a group of young people, while the second is one man who recorded his voice all four times into a barbershop style version of the song.

Filed Under: Hymn Reflections

Thursday Hymn Reflection: “Listen to Our Hearts”

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Adam Faughn • 2 Comments

[Each Thursday, we "reflect" on a hymn suggested by our readers. If you would like to add your favorites to our list, leave a comment with up to three songs, and we'll reflect on them in the future.]

A favorite devotional song for several years now, “Listen to Our Hearts” is a beautifully poetic song about how difficult it is to try to express the beauty and grandeur of God. In fact, that is the message of the song, but Geoff Moore and Steven Curtis Chapman, the writers, were able to state that same concept over and over to form the lyrics of the song.

When I sing this song, I think of the Psalms. The reason is that, no matter how beautiful the praises are in several of the Psalms, they still fall short of truly expressing the grandness of creation or the glory of God. They are simply the writers’ attempt to praise God.

We all know that we fall far short in trying to truly describe God and that we also fall short in fully praising Him. That’s what leads to my favorite line of the song. In the chorus, we sing, “We will use the words we know to tell you what an awesome God you are. But words are not enough to tell You of our love, so listen to our hearts.” How true those simple lines are.

It simply does not matter if you are a simple-minded person, or if you have the literary ability of Shakespeare, none of us can fully praise God with our words. However, our God is so great that He loves what we can and do offer in praise of Him. And, since He is so grand, why not take the time to offer “the fruit of lips” to Him even today?

Here are the lyrics to the song, written in 1992:

How do you explain, how do you describe

A love that goes from east to west,

And runs as deep as it is wide.

You know all our hopes, Lord, You know all our fears.

And words cannot express the love we feel

But we long for You to hear.

If words could fall like rain from these lips of mine,

And if I had a thousand years,

Lord, I would still run out of time.

If You listen to my heart, ev’ry beat will say:

“Thank You for the Life, Thank You for the Truth,

Thank You for the Way.”

So listen to our hearts, hear our spirits sing

A song of praise that flows

From those you have redeemed.

We will use the words we know to tell You

What an awesome God You are

But words are not enough to tell You of our love,

So listen to our hearts.

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What are your thoughts on this song?

Filed Under: Hymn Reflections

Thursday Hymn Reflection: “On Zion’s Glorious Summit”

Posted on June 10, 2010 by Adam Faughn • 1 Comment

[NOTE: Every Thursday, we "reflect" on a hymn suggested by our readers. If you would like to add your favorites to our list, leave a comment with up to 3 songs, and we will add them in the future. Thank you.]

Written in 1803, John Kent’s words are powerful and are still sung with great fervor. “On Zion’s Glorious Summit” is a song that is always sung with great passion.

When I sing the song, I cannot help but think of two sections of Scripture. First, I think of Hebrews 11-12. Chapter 11 lists all those great faithful men and women who served God despite extreme difficulties. Then, as chapter 12 opens, we are told that these people are watching us as a “cloud of witnesses.” They are, as it were, cheering us on, and watching as we do our best to walk with God.

The other section of Scripture this song brings to my mind is the book of Revelation. The host of faithful who overcome are a major part of that book, and they provide us with great motivation to press on. We often equate heaven with singing the praises of God, and that is what “On Zion’s Glorious Summit” evokes. It is a remembering of what the Lamb, Jesus, has done, and it is a looking forward to joining that great chorus that praises Him.

Of course, musically, the song features one of more unique “endings” in most song books. The “sanctus” of this song is almost always sung slower, and it brings this majestic song to a powerful close.

Here are the words of the song, followed by the sanctus:

On Zion’s glorious summit stood

A numerous host redeemed by blood!

They hymned their King in strains divine;

I heard the song and strove to join.

Here all who suffered sword or flame

For truth, or Jesus’ lovely name,

Shout victory now and hail the Lamb,

And bow before the great I AM.

While everlasting ages roll,

Eternal love shall feast their soul,

And scenes of bliss, forever new,

Rise in succession to their view.

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of hosts, on high adored!

Who like me Thy praise should sing,

O Almighty King!

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of hosts, on high adored!

Holy, holy, holy.

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Enjoy this beautiful recording of this hymn, then share your reflections on it.

Filed Under: Hymn Reflections

Category Archives: Hymn Reflections

Thursday Hymn Reflection: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”

Thursday Hymn Reflection: “There’s a Rainbow in the Cloud”

Thursday Hymn Reflection: “And Can It Be?”

Thursday Hymn Reflection: “Listen to Our Hearts”

Thursday Hymn Reflection: “On Zion’s Glorious Summit”