I didn’t grow up in a hymnal singing church and only recently discovered hymns of the faith. I have been enthralled with their beautiful melodies and rich biblical truths.
As I learn new hymns, I will post them on the blog with the lyrics, music, and stories. In sharing these hymns, I hope you will discover or rediscover this beautiful heritage of Christianity and that it will inspire your faith in Christ.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16
Behold the Savior of Mankind was written by Samuel Wesley, father of the famous preacher John Wesley, and hymn-writer Charles Wesley.
Samuel Wesley always enjoyed writing devotional poetry and hymns and hoped it would be his legacy. and he wrote many hymns! But on February 9, 1709, a great fire erupted in the Wesley’s Epworth rectory and set everything to flames. The fire almost claimed the life of five-year-old John, who was still trapped in the house when everyone got out.
After a few failed attempts, John was eventually rescued by two spectators. And no sooner did they pull John out than the roof collapsed into the house, destroying everything. But by God’s unfathomable providence, there was one other survivor that night: the original manuscript of Behold the Savior of Mankind.
The manuscript was blown away from the flames through the window and partially burned in the garden. And it is the only known hymn of Samuel Wesley. It is a hymn that vividly depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and each stanza describes the Savior’s sorrow.
Full lyrics of Behold the Savior of Mankind
Behold the Savior of mankind
Nailed to the shameful tree!
How vast the love that Him inclined
To bleed and die for thee!.
Thou far unequal our low praise
To thy vast sufferings prove,
O Lamb of God, thus all our days,
Thus will we grieve and love.
Hark, how He groans, while nature shakes,
And earth’s strong pillars bend!
The temple’s veil in sunder breaks;
The solid marbles rend.
Tis done! the precious ransom’s paid!
“Receive my soul!” He cries;
See where He bows His sacred head!
He bows His head and dies!
But soon He’ll break death’s envious chain,
And in full glory shine;
O Lamb of God, was ever pain,
Was ever love, like Thine?
Thy loss our ruin did repair;
Death by thy death is slain;
Thou wilt at length exalts us where
Thou dost in glory reign.
