Sometimes we struggle with reverence. It’s easy to lose perspective, to forget just how much God sacrificed to sanctify us. In the words of Isaac Watts, “would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?”
Being reminded of our smallness, our insignificance, is uncomfortable. We want inspirational platitudes that build up our self-esteem. We want to feel good about ourselves. The problem is that we miss the larger message here; “God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son.” You see, the greater the distance between God’s glory and my filthiness the more marvelous is the display of His love in this sacrifice. That God would stoop to save “such a worm” speaks more of our worth to Him than some feel-good philosophy. If that doesn’t instill in us a sense of awe and reverence I don’t know what will. This text, my first hymn, strives to renew the wonder I felt when I first accepted the fact the God loves me, a wretched sinner, so much that He would go to such lengths to save me.
I kicked around a few tune ideas since I wrote this song in 1988, but never found one that I really liked. Lately I’ve been looking at tunes that are rarely sung in the worship tradition I grew up in. I’ve always liked this one, Kingsfold, and I thought that I would bring it to my own congregation in this hymn.
On Calv’ry’s Tree
On Calv’ry’s tree Messiah hung,
A world of grief to bear—
No law transgressed nor wrong He’d done,
Yet God forsook Him there.
For sin incarnate He became,
The vilest evil, He—
What burden laden sore with blame
Has He borne there for me.What myst’ry on the cross laid bare,
Despite my filth and shame,
Could cause the Lamb to call me there,
And there my soul reclaim.
What wondrous Love of noblest worth
Could harbor such a plan,
That God, creator of all earth
Should die for sinful man.But Death cannot God’s will enslave,
Nor keep Him from His own—
The Son is risen from the grave
And sits upon His throne.
With grateful hearts our voices raise
Thy Name, O Lord, to sing,
And give Thee honor, laud, and praise
As most befits a King.
Downloads
Get this song for yourself and please share it with others.
- Download the sheet music in traditional notation or shaped notes.
- Download worship slides in traditional notation or shaped notes.
- Download a music file with each part highlighted for practice.
