Today’s hymn comes from the father of English Hymnody, Isaac Watts (1674–1748). To confess, when I first came across this hymn, I did not realise it was originally from Watts; I came it across the song on Psallos’ latest project “The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews”. If you have not heard of Psallos, in their own words “we exist to tell edifying stories through adventurous, artistic music that is rich in biblical theology. In our lyrics, we aim to communicate scriptural truth in a manner that is clear and builds up our listeners…We want the words that we sing to be distinctively Christian, saturated with Scripture, with depth that invites repeated listens. We recognize the benefit of presenting biblical passages in larger contexts to better understand the author’s intent and design1“, and so they are “focused primarily in our goal to set all 21 New Testament epistles to music1.” This rendition from Psallos comes from their project that is aimed at congregational singing. I’m sure you’ll be blessed by this one; enjoy!
Jesus, my great High Priest,
Offered his blood and died;
My guilty conscience seeks
No sacrifice beside.
His pow’rful blood did once atone,
And now it pleads before the throne.
To this dear Surety’s hand
Will I commit my cause;
He answers and fulfills
His Father’s broken laws.
Behold my soul at freedom set;
My Saviour paid the dreadful debt.
My Advocate appears
For my defense on high;
The Father bows his ears
And lays his thunder by.
Not all that hell or sin can say
Shall turn his heart, his love, away.
Should all the hosts of death
And pow’rs of hell unknown
Put forth their dreadful best
And lure my heart to roam,
I shall be safe, for Christ displays
His conqu’ring pow’r and guardian grace.
1psallos.com/mission
