Musical Notes

Hello OCBC family,
 “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4). It is Holy Week, a time to remember the last week of our Savior, Jesus Christ, before his passion. The passage of Isaiah 53 is telling us about this perfect sacrifice, this servant (Isaiah 52:13), who will take over him the iniquity of us all.

This passage has been used for centuries as inspiration for many musical works and hymns. The hymn that I want to share with you is one that has recently become a favorite of mine; “Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted.”

This hymn was written by Thomas Kelly; he was born in Dublin, July 13, 1769, and educated at Trinity College, Dublin. His father was a judge in Dublin. In 1792, his life had been changed and started to preach in a very evangelical way in Dublin. Many religious leaders did not agree with his style and tried to stop him from preaching. He was able to share the good news even in a secular place. We must understand that at that time, religious leaders said that the gospel can only be preached in consecrated buildings. Having seceded from the Established Church, he erected places of worship at Athy, Portarlington, and Wexford, in which he conducted divine worship and preached.

“Stricken, smitten, and afflicted,
see Him dying on the tree!
'Tis the Christ by man rejected;
yes, my soul, 'tis He, 'tis He!
'Tis the long-expected Prophet,
David's Son, yet David's Lord;
by His Son God now has spoken;
'tis the true and faithful Word.”

The melody is a German tune, in minor key, which helps to the spirit of this mourning hymn. The melody comes from a German chorale text, "O mein Jesu, ich muss sterben" (O my Jesus, I must die).

“Ye who think of sin but lightly,
Nor suppose the evil great;
Here may view its nature rightly,
Here its guilt may estimate.
Mark the sacrifice appointed!
See who bears the awful load!
'Tis the Word, the Lord's anointed,
Son of man, and Son of God.”

Please, use this hymn as part of your quiet time, and rejoice in our Lord for this perfect sacrifice.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.’ (Isaiah 53:6).

In His service,
Israel