There are some songs which are crafted by talented individuals.
Then there are rare ones which are not only all that, but clearly ones entrusted to their earthly stewards by God Himself.
To me, “In Christ Alone” is one of those. As one who has written songs, it is of a standard which one should aspire to.
Having a melody with a strong Irish heritage, its tune was stewarded by Keith Getty from Northern Ireland and its words by Stuart Townend from England.
The timeless feel of its melody and lyrics is surprising given it was only written in 2001. This however is not entirely surprising given that its lyrics are firming rooted in the timeless creed of what Jesus did for all of us. It has since gone on to take 9th place as the best-loved hymn of all time in the BBC’s Songs of Praise 2005 survey and was sung at Justin Welby’s enthronement as the Archbishop of Canterbury in 2013.
Little wonder then that the Presbyterian Church of U.S.A. wanted to include it in its 2013 hymnal. Quite an honour. Getty and Townend were thrilled.
However, the Presbyterian Church wanted to include it with a change of lyrics. They wanted to change “Till on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied” to “Till on that cross as Jesus died, the love of God was magnified”. Getty and Townend did not consent to the change.
In a recent radio interview, Getty explained that allow the change would be like “…if I told somebody who is an Indonesian farmer several years ago ‘there’s never going to be a Tsunami, don’t worry about it.’ Would you say that made me a better person? Or somebody who’s authentic? Or somebody who is more loving? Or somebody who is more in touch with culture? No, you would just say I’m somebody who’s not telling the whole truth. In fact, you’d probably say that I was a little dishonest. And so, as I said, trying to live the gospel, and live the whole gospel, Stuart and I felt you know what? We can’t be taking these bits of the gospel out of the story.”
No wonder they were trusted with this precious song.
I’d encourage you to soak it in like a devotional. Firstly with the lyrics below, pondering on the timeless truths they tell of. Then soar with it as it takes flight in its fullest form in song.
In Him alone indeed.
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied –
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine –
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.
