At Calvary
At Calvary
Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died
On Calvary.
Mercy there was great and grace was free,
Pardon there was multiplied to me,
There my burdened soul found liberty—
At Calvary.
By God’s Word at last my sin I learned—
Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned
To Calvary.
Now I’ve giv’n to Jesus ev’rything,
Now I gladly own Him as my King,
Now my raptured soul can only sing
Of Calvary.
O the love that drew salvation’s plan!
O the grace that bro’t it down to man!
O the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary.
WILLIAM R. NEWELL was best known as a Bible teacher, commentator, pastor, and professor. Yet while on his way to teach a class at Moody Bible Institute one day, the words of this hymn began to form in his mind. He didn’t want to forget these ideas, so he went into an unoccupied classroom and there scribbled the words on the back of an envelope. A few minutes later he gave the words to Daniel B. Towner, the director of music at the school. Within an hour Towner had composed music for them.
The first three stanzas tell the testimony of the Christian; the final stanza praises God for the greatness of divine love, the depth of grace, and the breadth of mercy. Since Newell is best known for a commentary on the book of Romans, it is no surprise that the last stanza bears a resemblance to Romans 11:33, “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge!”
We praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.
Ephesians 1:6-7
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