Anthem Lights - In Christ Alone (Acapella) Lyrics
Lyrics
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone! Who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can never pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
Video
In Christ Alone | Anthem Lights A Cappella Cover
Meaning & Inspiration
Anthem Lights' 2020 acapella rendition of "In Christ Alone" arrives as a powerful and unadorned testament to the enduring truths of the Christian faith. Released on May 1st, 2020, this version strips away instrumental accompaniment, allowing the rich harmonies and the profound lyrical content to take center stage. The song's message, deeply rooted in the foundational beliefs of Christianity, explores the absolute sufficiency of Jesus Christ as the sole source of hope, strength, and redemption. It navigates the narrative from His Incarnation to His triumphant resurrection and ascension, emphasizing His victory over sin and death and its liberating impact on believers. The lyrics eloquently articulate a worldview where Christ is the "Cornerstone" and "solid Ground," an unshakeable foundation in the face of life's inevitable "droughts and storms," echoing the teachings found in passages like 1 Corinthians 3:11 which states, "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." The song's journey through the depths of Christ's love and peace when "fears are stilled, when strivings cease" speaks to a profound spiritual peace that transcends earthly anxieties, aligning with the promise in Philippians 4:7, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
The acapella format masterfully accentuates the song's theological depth, drawing listeners into a focused contemplation of each phrase. The deliberate emphasis on Christ's incarnation, depicted as the "Fullness of God in helpless babe," highlights the humility and profound sacrifice inherent in His coming to earth. The lyrics then unflinchingly confront the reality of His suffering and death, stating, "Till on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied," a concept directly referencing the substitutionary atonement, where Christ bore the penalty for humanity's sins. This idea is powerfully conveyed in Romans 3:25: "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had previously, through Israel’s sins, left the sins committed beforehand unpunished." The song’s narrative then surges with the triumphant declaration of Christ's resurrection, "Then bursting forth in glorious Day, Up from the grave He rose again." This moment of victory is presented not merely as a historical event, but as the definitive act that breaks the "Sin's curse" and secures freedom for believers. The affirmation, "For I am His and He is mine, Bought with the precious blood of Christ," directly echoes the message of redemption found in 1 Peter 1:18-19, "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot."
Ultimately, "In Christ Alone" by Anthem Lights serves as a compelling reminder of an unwavering hope and an unyielding strength found exclusively in Jesus Christ. The song emphasizes the transformative power of His presence, proclaiming, "No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me." This resonates with the assurance given in Romans 8:38-39: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." The final verses powerfully articulate the security and ultimate destiny of those who place their trust in Christ, with the bold assertion that "No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can never pluck me from His hand." This assurance mirrors Christ's own words in John 10:28-29, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand." Anthem Lights' acapella rendition, with its unadorned beauty and unwavering focus on the lyrical message, encourages a deep and personal engagement with these timeless truths, offering solace and inspiration to all who listen.