This Isaac Watts hymn, Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed, was the first one sung at our Maundy Thursday service last week.  Written in 1707, it has a time-honored, deep understanding of the good news for believers.  The writer knew his own sin, understood the pain and grief Jesus experienced on the cross, and marveled at the depth of love and grace that made his redemption possible.  His thankfulness led to the last line, “Lord, I give myself away, ‘tis all that I can do.”  His response to his Savior was to make Him his Lord.

 Alas! And did my Savior bleed, and did my Sovereign die! Would he devote that sacred head for such a worm as I!

Was it for crime that I had done he groaned upon the tree! Amazing pity! Grace unknown! And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide, and shut his glories in, when Christ the mighty Maker, died for man the creature’s sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face while his dear cross appears; dissolve my heart in thankfulness and melt mine eyes in tears.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay the debt of love I owe; here, Lord, I give myself away, tis all that I can do.