O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Final entry for the choir devo book
I’m not a real big fan of poetry or of King’s English. Shakespeare and I never really clicked. In fact, my first introduction to what would become one of my best friends in high school and college, Cliff’s Notes, came as a young middle school lad when I was studying Shakespeare in English class. ‘Whither’s, thither’s, and wherefore’s just seem like an extraordinarily complicated way to state what could’ve been a relatively simple sentence. But…there’s something about this verse: “What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest Friend, for this, Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end? O make me Thine forever; and, should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never outlive my love for Thee!” For people with a bent toward worshipping, this pretty much sums it up—much like the great hymn “The Love of God.”
Notwithstanding the ethereal, sacred and alluring musical quality of this particular arrangement, when you include a transfixing text such as this, you have a song that engages and stirs the mind, emotion and will. As I listened for the very first time to the demo of this song, I was sweeping the floor at home. I remember thinking when the violin started, I don’t know what it is but I like it. Then came the beautiful, familiar lyric. I stopped sweeping (not a hard decision), sat on the armrest of the couch, and listened. Then I played it again. As I do every time I listen to it, I took a deep breath as if breathing in the very fragrance of the presence of the Holy Spirit and whispered a thank you and renewed determination to worship, quality, and commitment to Him.
Strange as it may seem for a musician not to favor poetry, I can’t get away from this one. Read Isaiah 53. Read it in KJV! Meditate on the lyrics of this scripture and song and imagine standing before the cross while singing it. Allow the Holy Spirit to refresh your appreciation for Jesus’ work on the cross.
Pastor Mike McAdory
I’m not a real big fan of poetry or of King’s English. Shakespeare and I never really clicked. In fact, my first introduction to what would become one of my best friends in high school and college, Cliff’s Notes, came as a young middle school lad when I was studying Shakespeare in English class. ‘Whither’s, thither’s, and wherefore’s just seem like an extraordinarily complicated way to state what could’ve been a relatively simple sentence. But…there’s something about this verse: “What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest Friend, for this, Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end? O make me Thine forever; and, should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never outlive my love for Thee!” For people with a bent toward worshipping, this pretty much sums it up—much like the great hymn “The Love of God.”
Notwithstanding the ethereal, sacred and alluring musical quality of this particular arrangement, when you include a transfixing text such as this, you have a song that engages and stirs the mind, emotion and will. As I listened for the very first time to the demo of this song, I was sweeping the floor at home. I remember thinking when the violin started, I don’t know what it is but I like it. Then came the beautiful, familiar lyric. I stopped sweeping (not a hard decision), sat on the armrest of the couch, and listened. Then I played it again. As I do every time I listen to it, I took a deep breath as if breathing in the very fragrance of the presence of the Holy Spirit and whispered a thank you and renewed determination to worship, quality, and commitment to Him.
Strange as it may seem for a musician not to favor poetry, I can’t get away from this one. Read Isaiah 53. Read it in KJV! Meditate on the lyrics of this scripture and song and imagine standing before the cross while singing it. Allow the Holy Spirit to refresh your appreciation for Jesus’ work on the cross.
Pastor Mike McAdory
David said it all: I saw God before me for all time. Nothing can shake me; He's right by my side. I'm glad from the inside out, ecstatic; I've pitched my tent in the Land of Hope. I know You'll never dump me in Hades; I'll never even smell the stench of death. You've got my feet on the life-path, with Your face shining sun-joy all around.
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