Lately, I’ve been posting lesser known hymns by well-known and prolific hymn writers. We’ve had two hymns by John Newton, two by Charles Wesley; now I’ve moving on to Isaac Watts. You probably know at least of few of Watt’s hymns, like Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed?, Our God, Our Help in Ages Past, and Jesus Shall Reign. But I bet you don’t know this one—and it’s perfect for the season we’re in right now.
Plunged in a Gulf of Dark Despair
Plunged in a gulf of dark despair
We wretched sinners lay,
Without one cheerful beam of hope,
Or spark of glimmering day.
With pitying eyes the Prince of grace
Beheld our helpless grief;
He saw, and, O amazing love!
He ran to our relief.
Down from the shining seats above
With joyful haste He fled,
Entered the grave in mortal flesh,
And dwelt among the dead.
He spoiled the powers of darkness thus,
And brake our iron chains;
Jesus hath freed our captive souls
From everlasting pains.
In vain the baffled prince of hell
His cursèd projects tries
We that were doomed his endless slaves
Are raised above the skies.
O for this love let rocks and hills
Their lasting silence break,
And all harmonious human tongues
The Savior’s praises speak.
Yes, we will praise Thee, dearest Lord,
Our souls are all on flame;
Hosannah round the spacious earth
To Thine adored Name.
Angels, assist our mighty joys,
Strike all your harps of gold;
But when you raise your highest notes,
His love can ne’er be told.
Other hymns, worship songs, sermons etc. posted today:
- Hosanna, Loud Hosanna at Conjubilant with Song
- Lord’s Day 14, 2009 at The Thirsty Theologian
- Fairest Lord Jesus at The Happy Wonderer
- Ah, Holy Jesu, How Hast Thou Offended at Nova Scotia Scott
- Be Thou My Vision at Hiraeth
- God, Be Merciful to Me at Fieldstone Cottage
- All Glory, Laud and Honor at joythruChrist
- Your weekly dose of Spurgeon at Pyromaniacs: Active Obedience (I love thinking about Christ’s active obedience. If you only consider his dying for you, and not his living for you, you are missing half of the wonder of Christ’s work on your behalf.)
- All Glory, Laud and Honor at Tapestry of Graces
Have you posted a hymn today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by emailing me at the address in the sidebar and I’ll add your post to the list.