Sunday's Hymn: Penal Substitutionary Atonement

I’m continuing with the theme of teaching one another with hymns, based on Colossians 3:19. That means the Sunday hymn will be chosen because it teaches us something about a particular doctrine of the faith.

 

This week’s teaching is the doctrine that Christ, in his atoning work, paid the penalty that was rightfully ours by taking our place, and it’s found in this hymn by Philip P. Bliss.

Hallelujah! What a Savior

 

Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

We were “guilty, vile, and helpless,” but Christ, the “spotless Lamb of God,” stood condemned in our place. You’ll find scriptural evidence for the substitutionary nature of the atonement in this old post: Purposes of Christ’s Death: 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 21. You can hear this hymn here.

 

Other hymns, worship songs, etc. posted today:

• How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place at joythruChrist
• The Collect for the Twentieth Sunday After Trinity at Magic Statistics
• How Deep the Father’s Love for Us at The Happy Wonderer
• Lord’s Day 42, 2007 at The Thirsty Theologian
  
• Though Troubles Assail Us at Hiraeth
• Christ is Made the Sure Foundation at Seasoning of the Heart
• The Church’s One Foundation at Lux Venit
• There’s a Fountain Flowing at Thoughts from the Teahouse
• All Things Bright and Beautiful at Whatever Things…
  

Have you posted a hymn this Sunday and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by emailing me at the address in the sidebar and I’ll add your post to the list.

Comments

[Lisa Johnson]

My all time favorite hymn to sing with lots of people! Thanks. Lisa

[Joel Griffith]

I am really fond of "The Solid Rock." The lyrics are a wonderful enunciation of what Jesus did for us. "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness."

That's a keeper! Such great theology in old hymns.

[rebecca]

Solid Rock is one I considered using last week for justification.