Recently this wonderful song (by CityAlight) has found a place in my mind, and it won't go away. In fact, I don't want it to go away. Good music can be like that.
Allow me to print the lyrics and provide the YouTube video below, then I'll explain why I like it so much!
Lyrics
What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace.
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to His
Oh how strange and divine, I can sing all is mine
Yet not I, but through Christ in me.
The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Savior He will stay
I labor on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed.
To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley He will lead
Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome
Yet not I, but through Christ in me.
No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven
The future sure, the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave.
To this I hold, my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released, I can sing: I am free
Yet not I, but through Christ in me.
With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day, I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne.
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory is evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me.
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory is evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me.
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me.
Yet not I, but through Christ in me.
Yet not I, but through Christ in me.
My Take
There is a great deal to love about this song. From a content point-of-view it is thoroughly Biblical, with many allusions to the Scriptures. I'll say more about content below.
From a stylistic point-of-view, it is refreshingly non-repetitive. Did you notice four full stanzas, each stanza having two full and separate verses? That seems remarkable in today's Christian music, which often yields about 1 ½ verses, repeated endlessly, ad infinitum. Also, note the beautiful parallelism that begins the second verse of every stanza: "To this I hold ..." Each is unique, until stanza four repeats stanza one's "To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus." Beautiful bookending of the song.
As beautiful (and rare) as these stylistic devices are, it's the full, lengthy, and biblical lyrics that are the song's crowning achievement. In particular, the choice of words that honor Jesus.
Let me explain by asking you a question: how would you finish the following sentence?
"Jesus is my ________________________."
Rereading the lyrics of this song, the songwriters answer the question this way:
"Jesus is my Redeemer, my Joy, my Righteousness, my Freedom, my Steadfast Love, my Deep and Boundless Peace, my Hope, my By-My-Side Companion, my Savior/Rescuer, my Shepherd, my Defender, my Price/Ransom/Payment, my Sacrifice/Substitute, my Grave-robber, my Plea, my Leader, my Renewer, my Conduit to Home and His Throne, my only Hope, my Finish Line in the race of life."
Note: most of the attributions of Jesus (above) are verbatim from the song, while some are my words. Example: Song: "For by my side, the Savior He will stay." My words: "Jesus is my By-My-Side-Companion."
Isn't Jesus Great?!! Yes, He is. And this song beautifully extols Him. He is the Hero, the Great One, the Beautiful and Perfect and Holy One. He is worthy of our full attention! May this song lead you to worship Him truly, today!