I think this might be the first hymn our friend SlimJim has requested, and I hope he likes the Johnny Cash rendition of Were You There?
Some of you yesterday helped re-load the Your Favorite Hymns wagon, we we have another two weeks’ worth. Come one, come all! The devil hates it when we get together to praise the Lord.
Requested by Phoebe, sung by Johnny Cash–a traditional gospel hymn, Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?
These images (from Jesus of Nazareth, I believe) are strong medicine, and hard to bear. Crucifixion was an ugly way to die. I have to fight a need to avert my eyes. But this was the atonement for all the sins of all the world–for our sins–with the penalty paid by God Himself in the person of His beloved Son. Paid for all time. This is the very core of our Christian faith.
Thank you, “WhiteRabbit,” for requesting this gem! Johnny Cash’s declaration, before he starts singing–“Jesus Christ is Lord!”–is worth more than money can buy. Why Me, Lord?, written by Kris Kristofferson, marvels at the grace and love of God.
We can’t replace Johnny Cash, but we surely can follow his example.
Jesus Christ is Lord!
This song may be a little grim, but it comes from Revelation and Revelation is a book of warning; and warnings are supposed to be grim. But it does come with a happy ending for those who heed the warnings: the happiest ending of them all.
So this is Johnny Cash, with The Man Comes Around. Whoever has ears, let him hear.
This was written for the Civil War by Julia Ward Howe, but we need it today: The Battle Hymn of the Republic, sung here by Johnny Cash.
Today in our country there are many who wish to destroy our republic, and subject it to some kind of “fundamental transformation” into something else, God knows what. Pray we never find out.
I should have had this for Good Friday or Easter Sunday, but better late than never. This is another one my mother used to sing. Sometimes it would make me cry, when I was a little boy. This is Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?, sung by Johnny Cash… decades ago on TV.
This is from a 1974 Columbo episode called “Swan Song,” guest starring Johnny Cash. Actually it’s a Johnny Cash gospel song from 1966, I Saw the Light–and the lyrics are spot on. The backup is a little overproduced for my taste, but it’s a catchy tune with Johnny Cash’s voice and, most importantly, a solid Christian message.
Modern Christians, many of them, don’t like to think about God’s just wrath and do all they can to dismiss it from their minds. But it’s part of the way the world works, and to ignore it is to ignore reality. Be of good cheer, though: forgiveness and redemption through Jesus Christ is also part of how the world works.
If some of the faces in this video seem hauntingly familiar, it’s because they all belonged to famous criminals who came to bad ends. As Psalm 73 reminds us, they don’t get away with it forever: Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors (verses 18-19).
Warnings of God’s wrath are meant to move us to repentance. They should be heeded.
It’s hard to imagine anyone but Johnny Cash singing this.
This being Good Friday, I thought this a suitable hymn to share with you–Johnny Cash performing Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?
My mother used to sing this around the house. I trust she sings it now, in glory.
What do you say to a bit of spiritual nourishment before we bite into the news of the day?
I picked this one myself because I finally caught up on all your requests, folks, and there weren’t any waiting for me this morning.
Whatever else you might say of Johnny Cash, he had a gift for gospel.