Tonight, I’m spotlighting an old hymn with some powerful words and sound theology. I do like modern worship, but sometimes we need to get back to a hymn or two, even if it’s the words of a hymn set to a more modern arrangement.

Here’s a hymn that I’ve never sung or heard before tonight. I hope these words will bless you as they have blessed me:

“Not what my hands have done
Can save my guilty soul;
Not what my toiling flesh has borne
Can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do
Can give me peace with God;
Not all my prayers,
And sighs and tears
Can bear my awful load.

Thy work alone, O Christ,
Can ease this weight of sin
Thy blood alone O Lamb of God,
Can give me peace within.
Thy love to me O God,
Not mine, O Lord, to Thee
Can rid me of
This dark unrest,
And set my spirit free!

Thy grace alone, O God,
To me can pardon speak;
Thy power alone O Son of God,
Can this sore bondage break.
No other work, save Thine,
No other blood will do,
No strength save that,
Which is divine,
Can bear me safely through” (Horatius Bonar -1864).