Hymn: “What Wondrous Love Is This?” – American Folk Hymn
Tune: WONDROUS LOVE
This mournful Appalachian-sounding tune carries its text so perfectly. There are few hymn text/tune marriages that are more in line than this one. From its opening question to its final song of freedom, this hymn speaks so many moods with so much depth of expression.
The question is simple: What kind of love pulls the Lord of all happiness and joy from THAT kind of seemingly perfect state to shoulder the curse of death? That’s pretty profound in itself; but you tag on the last three words, “for MY soul,” and it takes an inward turn.
We realize it was not just a general act designed to scoop up all of humankind into some unified net and redeem them as a group. It’s the realization that while it was accomplished for any who would respond, it was also finished for ME.
I believe Christ died for sinners… I believe Christ died for the church… I believe Christ died for all the saints who’ve gone before us… I believe Christ died for many who will come after us. But for it to take on the enormous significance it deserves in MY life, I have to come to terms with the fact, and say without a doubt… I believe Christ died for ME.
What kind of love is this? It is the love that only God can fully display, and we can only emulate.
St. Olaf Choir Sings This Hymn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsVnvN3EVxY
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