Thursday Hymn Reflection: “And Can It Be?”

[NOTE: Each Thursday, we “reflect” on a hymn suggested by our readers. If you would like to add yours to our list–which is now dwindling!–leave a comment with up to three of your favorites, and we’ll add them to our upcoming schedule.]

Originally six verses from the pen of Charles Wesley, “And Can It Be?” is usually three verses today, and has two very distinct tunes that are usually associated with it. In most hymnals, the music is from Thomas Campbell, while the more “devotional” version is usually not attributed to anyone except an “arranger,” because it has just developed over the years.

This classic hymn has the singer marveling at the power and love of God, and asking how we are worthy of the grace and sacrifice He gave to us through His Son. While it is a common idea in hymn-writing, this song may state it better than any other. The song also shares the fact that it was our sins that put Christ on the cross (“Died He for me, who caused His pain/ for me who scorned His perfect love?”).

You may think that my favorite line is the one that talks of “Adam’s race,” but it’s not. My favorite part of the song is how it “turns” from our helpless state without Christ to the beginning of the 3rd verse: “Boldly I come before your throne.” What a change the cross of Christ makes in our life!

I am amazed that this song continues to be sung by young people. The wording is quite formal, and it is very deep. I think this song stands in stark contrast to most of the songs young people sing, but they love it because of the chorus that the devotional “version” adds: “Amazing love, how can it be, that you, my God, would die for me?” That is a wonderful question to ask.

Following are all 6 original verses from Charles Wesley. If you are familiar with the devotional version of this song, go through this poem and notice how it came from several different places in his original piece.

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

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Enjoy two versions of this song (both are the devotional tune). The first is by a group of young people, while the second is one man who recorded his voice all four times into a barbershop style version of the song.