I Will Sing the Wondrous Story

I will sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me.
How He left His home in glory
For the cross of Calvary.

Refrain
Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.

I was lost, but Jesus found me,
Found the sheep that went astray,
Threw His loving arms around me,
Drew me back into His way.

I was bruised, but Jesus healed me,
Faint was I from many a fall,
Sight was gone, and fears possessed me,
But He freed me from them all.

Days of darkness still come o’er me,
Sorrow’s path I often tread,
But His presence still is with me;
By His guiding hand I’m led.

He will keep me till the river
Rolls its waters at my feet;
Then He’ll bear me safely over,
Where the loved ones I shall meet.

Found on page 40 of the “Hymns of the Spirit,” I recall singing this song every once in awhile growing up at Southern Hills.  The chorus of the song is most memorable in that it is one of those choruses where there is a distinct part for the ladies and a distinct part for the men.  As a young boy growing up in church, these are the kinds of songs where you learned how to sing parts and read music.  The bass part in this song is one that is easy to find, but the melody, however, shouldn’t overshadow the powerful truths found in the lyrics.

Interesting story about the words of this song written in the 1800’s by Francis H. Rowley.  Mr. Rowley wrote the words to this song while serving as a minister at the First Baptist Church of North Adams in Massachusetts.  The song, however, was originally written with the lyrics reading “Can’t you sing the wondrous story?” not “I will sing the wondrous story.”  Ira Sankey, the famous composer who worked with D.L. Moody in the revivals of the 1800’s in the Chicago area, decided to change these lyrics when he was including it in a hymnal.  I find it interesting that the words were changed from from “can’t you” to “I will.”  From a question to a declaration.  From an unknown to a known.  I couldn’t find any commentary about whether Mr. Rowley was aware of this wording change, but I am thankful, nonetheless, that this great song has been included in many of our hymnals.

For those of you not familiar with this song, here’s a link to a youtube version of it:

Couple of comments on the lyrics:

• “Threw His loving arms around me” – This line is a reference from the Parable of the Forgiving Father, aka The Prodigal Son.  The Bible tells us in Luke 15 “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”  The Father didn’t wait until the son begged for forgiveness.  The Father didn’t throw his arms around him because he was prudent with the money he had given him.  The Father didn’t have compassion on him when he found out what a fine, moral young man he turned out to be.  What he did do was have compassion on him.  What he did do was love and forgive him.  What he did do is “throw his loving arms around him.”  What a powerful picture of God’s grace and mercy.

• “Days of darkness still come o’er me” – I like the honesty of this particular lyric.  The author over and over reminds us to sing the wondrous story.  To remind ourselves where we came from, what God delivered us from, and what God has promised to give us one day in heaven.  But even acknowledging all those truths, he admits that there are still days of darkness.  I think it is okay for us to both (a) recognize the truth of Scripture and the power of our redemption and the promise of heaven, and (b) yet admit that not every day is roses and butterflies.  Life is filled with highs and lows.  With mountains and valleys.  With victories and defeats.  But the author says that these days “still come over me,” not “still overcome me.”  These days of darkness can come, but they can’t overcome.  As they come, they will also go.  The author reminds us how we endure those tough days – knowing that the Savior is still with him.  He has not been abandoned us or left us alone or forsaken us.  But God continues to lead with His Hand.  “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”

As a former choir member, I remember those times where we were asked by the choir director to “recruit” folks to join the choir.  I would see people in church singing and praising the Lord, and I would think to myself “They need to be in the choir.”  The typical response we would get when asking someone to join the choir was “I can’t sing.”  You could tell them that it wasn’t about having a great singing voice, and it wasn’t about being able to read music.  You could tell them that there were no “tryouts.”  “Choir was open to all.”  We just wanted more singers in the choir, and we would invite them to come.  A few would decide to come and try it out, but most chose not to because in their minds “they couldn’t sing.” 

The original words of this song contained a similar question – “Can’t you sing the wondrous story?”  For many people, unfortunately their answer is “no.”  In their minds, they “can’t sing” because they haven’t gotten their life together yet.  They “can’t sing” because they aren’t sure they are good enough to join God’s heavenly choir.  Sadly, they have a misunderstanding of grace.  They do not understand that Jesus did not come to heal the healthy.  He came to heal the sick.  This song reminds us that “I was lost when Jesus found me.”  We had no merit on our own.  There were no “tryouts” where only the talented could join.  We weren’t picked because of something wonderful in our own merit.  We were dead in sin and unlovable.  But yet, out of His great love, He invites us to come and sing the wondrous story.

I pray today that you have made the decision to sing the wondrous story.  It is the greatest story ever told.  But I also hope you find someone who “can’t sing the wondrous story” and tell them about a God who throws His loving arms around us, and who died for each one of us.  I hope you invite them to join “the choir.”