And Can it Be

By Belinda

Praying this morning, thanking God that I know him, my favourite hymn, And Can it Be, by Charles Wesley, came to mind. I love that hymn because it expresses the full good news of the gospel with all the passion that it is due. Whenever it is sung as it should be, with no verses cut out, with an organ and with feeling, I am moved to tears and can barely restrain myself from jumping for joy. I have often thought that I would like this song sung at my funeral, but then I wouldn't be able to join in! This version comes closest to the experience I feel when I sing this beautiful song.

Comments

Susan said…
Oh Belinda, thank you for posting this. I'm not sure I've ever heard/sung/read all the verses before. I couldn't understand all the words in the video you posted, so I looked them up and then typed them out. I'm so glad I did... I especially love the lines (which I don't think I've ever heard before): "I feel the life his wounds impart, I feel the Saviour in my heart." Here are the rest in case anyone else should like to see them in print:


And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour’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 bout 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 Saviour in my heart.
I feel the life his wounds impart;
I feel the Saviour 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.
12:03 PM
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