I’m wracking my brain to think of where I heard this song first but all I know is that I ordered the CD immediately upon hearing it. It’s on a CD called “New Irish Hymns” and at last count, there were 4. (I have 3 of them on my iTunes.) I’ve sung it once or twice in worship and I think the most amazing time was when I went into the medium security prison near where we lived in Montana and helped with worship. (I’ll write about my prison experiences another time.)<\/p>\n
Another reason I like it is that it is theologically correct. I sometimes have a problem with contemporary praise songs because the words convey some seriously bad theology or it’s “Jesus is my boyfriend” stuff (translation: you could sing the song to your significant other and they wouldn’t be able to tell that it wasn’t a love song). This one, however, conveys the faith as laid out in the creeds.<\/p>\n
The lyrics: <\/p>\n
In Christ alone my hope is found,
\nHe is my light, my strength, my song;
\nthis Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
\nfirm through the fiercest drought and storm.
\nWhat heights of love, what depths of peace,
\nwhen fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
\nMy Comforter, my All in All,
\nhere in the love of Christ I stand.<\/p>\nIn Christ alone! who took on flesh
\nFulness of God in helpless babe!
\nThis gift of love and righteousness
\nScorned by the ones he came to save:
\nTill on that cross as Jesus died,
\nThe wrath of God was satisfied –
\nFor every sin on Him was laid;
\nHere in the death of Christ I live.<\/p>\nThere in the ground His body lay
\nLight of the world by darkness slain:
\nThen bursting forth in glorious Day
\nUp from the grave he rose again!
\nAnd as He stands in victory
\nSin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
\nFor I am His and He is mine –
\nBought with the precious blood of Christ.<\/p>\nNo guilt in life, no fear in death,
\nThis is the power of Christ in me;
\nFrom life’s first cry to final breath.
\nJesus commands my destiny.
\nNo power of hell, no scheme of man,
\nCan ever pluck me from His hand;
\nTill He returns or calls me home,
\nHere in the power of Christ I’ll stand.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nAnd of course, we have the music. This recording is off of “New Irish Hymns” and has Margaret Becker, Joanne Hogg, and Maire Brennan singing.<\/p>\n