By Erik Dewar, pastor of worship and music

On this Saturday between Good Friday and Easter, we wait.

Our waiting feels more profound than usual this year as we sit in our homes much like the sheltering disciples.

We of course know the rest of the story so we have hope, remembering Jesus’s promise that he would rise tomorrow morning.

Until then, we wait.

And until this pandemic ends, we remember his many other precious promises to us - that he will not leave us or forsake us. He is coming again.

Whether looking ahead to promised grace or looking back at his past faithfulness, today is a good day for reflection.

Remember his sacrifice for us last night with this setting of Isaac Watts’s Alas and Did My Savior Bleed.

As you reflect, consider this interesting factor regarding the poetry and music. Some poet’s themes don’t always fit cleanly within the musical structures in which they’re later set. For instance, sometimes one poetic idea is expressed across multiple stanzas of music. An example of this can be found in verses three and four of Luther’s A Mighty Fortress:

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him.
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure.
One little word shall fell him

That word above all earthly pow'rs, no thanks to them, abideth.
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth.
Let God's and kindred go, this mortal life also.
The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still.
His kingdom is forever.

The “word” referenced at the end of verse three is the same “word” in the beginning of verse four.

Similarly, verses four and five of Alas and Did My Savior Bleed both refer to tears. These two verses are dependent on each other (so you can imagine the disappointment when verse four is left out of many hymnals)! This musical setting uses a shorter interlude and modulation after verse four to spill over into the rest of Watts’s idea in verse five:

Thus might I hide my blushing face

While his dear cross appears

dissolve my heart in thankfulness

and melt mine eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can ne'er repay

the debt of love I owe;

Here Lord I give myself away

'Tis all that I can do.

May this be our response of worship as we consider Christ’s sacrifice for us last night.