An Easter Hymn
I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me
So, it’s been a while. I probably don’t need to say too much about Easter to most readers of this humble substack. I went to my church Good Friday service this morning and to my surprise tears slipped out and ran down my face. I was perhaps partly overtired, which can lead readily to tears like I’m still a toddler, but we had the gospel readings, interspersed with dramatised reflections from the servant girl who pointed out Peter as someone who knew Jesus, from Barabbas who was set free in Jesus’ place, from the mother of James and John and from the centurion who was forced to cry out “surely this man was the son of God”, and it was so affecting ...
But I wanted to come by to share a hymn that I am loving at the moment. (When I come upon a song that grabs me I tend to thrash it for a while …. and this is one of my latest on repeat. I am a fan of Jess Ray.) The second stanza seems apt for Easter. So, Happy Easter folks - may it be full of joy in reflecting on what Christ has done for you, grace and peace for you.
Christ has risen! (Well Easter for me next week being Orthodox. But today was a beautiful palm Sunday service and message.)
That is a beautiful hymn and the key playing was lovely.
Lately I have returned to the hymn 'thy mercy thy God' by Sandra MCracken. I seem to come back to it during certain times. It was written in 1776 but I understand she found the words of this little known hymn in some other little known book and she said as soon as she read the words she felt convicted to put music to them that afternoon. (note - I may have this story wrong but its what I recall). It is a beautiful hymn and the words bring up feelings and tears for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUEgqGNFiMs&list=RDvUEgqGNFiMs&start_radio=1
Lovely. Thanks for sharing this version of the hymn and your Good Friday reflections. I too shed tears in church more easily these days than when I was younger. I don’t get embarrassed about it but see it as a subtle gift (it’s not confected) to the rest of the congregation (if they notice). It can be surprising to be softened by the stealth of the Spirt, but if we are not visibly moved at times in our gathering with the Lords people that seems more of a concern to me.