Today’s hymn focus will be “Hallelujah, What a Savior!”

Isaiah 53:3 (NASB95)

“ He was despised and forsaken of men,

A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;

And like one from whom men hide their face

He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”

Written and published in 1875 by Phillip Bliss and Ira Sankey, this hymn is one of the best and most enduring songs produced by Bliss. Visiting the state prison in Jackson, Michigan, after a message on “The Man of Sorrows”, he sang this hymn with great effect. Many of the prisoners dated their conversion on that date.

The word ‘hallelujah’ is the same in many languages, and so the effects of this song has impacted many different nations. This hymn is often used before the celebration of communion, helping focus our minds on the death of Christ while also helping us to focus on God’s love for us in sending His Son to die on the cross for us that we might be redeemed.

The first stanza was written to reflect Christ’s atoning work very simply and clearly. The last stanza proclaims the joyful, triumphant anticipation of the praise that will be declared throughout eternity…”Hallelujah, What a Savior!”

As we wake up tomorrow morning, we will begin to celebrate the greatest week for us as Christians…the death and resurrection of our blessed Savior. Let the first words of your mouth tomorrow morning be “Hallelujah, What a Savior!”

YOUTUBE:

Hallelujah, What a Savior!