One of my favorite Holy Week hymns is “Man of Sorrows” by Philip Bliss. He had been working as a music teacher, but had given himself to evangelistic work on the advice of his friend D. L. Moody. He wrote this hymn in 1875, shortly after that career change. Just a few months later, Bliss and his wife tragically died in Ohio on December 29, 1876 when a train trestle collapsed into the Ashtabula River. Ira Sankey reported that the last hymn he ever heard Philip Bliss sing was “Man of Sorrows.” Bliss knew that glory was piercing through the shadows, so Jesus was ever his song.
“Man of Sorrows!” What a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned he stood—
Sealed my pardon with His blood:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Guilty, vile and helpless, we,
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atonement! Can it be?
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Lifted up was he to die,
“It is finished,” was His cry,
Now in heav’n exalted high:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King,
All his ransomed home to bring,
Then anew this song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Even in tragedy, we are loved, more than we know.
