GHS 134 : And Can It Be That I Should Gain Lyrics
GHS 134, “And Can It Be That I Should Gain,” is widely regarded as one of Charles Wesley’s greatest hymns and one of the finest expressions of evangelical faith ever put into verse. Written in 1738 shortly after Wesley’s conversion, the hymn is a meditation of sustained astonishment: that the immortal God should die, that the eternal Son should empty Himself of all but love and bleed for Adam’s helpless race, that chains should fall, that the dungeon should flame with light, and that such a one as the singer should approach the eternal throne boldly and claim the crown through Christ.
Every stanza deepens the wonder until the final declaration of “no condemnation” lands with the full weight of Romans 8:1. This hymn appears as number 134 in the Gospel Hymns and Songs (GHS) collection, used in Deeper Life Bible Church and related assemblies across West Africa.
Hymn Lyrics – GHS 134: And Can It Be That I Should Gain
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And can it be, that I should gain An interest in the Saviour’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! how can it be That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
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‘Tis mystery all! th’ Immortal dies! Who can explore His strange design? In vain the first born seraph tries To sound the depth of love divine! ‘Tis mercy all! let earth adore, Let angel-minds inquire no more.
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He left His Father’s throne above (So free, so infinite His grace!) Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race: ‘Tis mercy all, immense and free, For, O my God, it found out me!
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Long my imprisoned spirit lay Fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light: My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
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No condemnation now I dread, Jesus, and all in Him, is mine; Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach the eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
