Matt Papa - In Christ Alone 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 ever 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
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on May 7, 2015, Matt Papa's rendition of "In Christ Alone" offers a powerful contemporary voice to a hymn that has profoundly shaped modern worship. This song isn't merely a collection of verses; it's a comprehensive theological statement, a poetic journey through the core tenets of Christian faith, expressing unwavering trust in Jesus Christ as the singular source of salvation and life. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to articulate profound spiritual truths with both clarity and emotional resonance, a testament to its intentional design as a declarative anthem for believers worldwide.
The heart of "In Christ Alone" beats with a declaration of absolute dependence on Jesus. The opening lines establish Him as the ultimate foundation, the "Cornerstone" and "solid Ground" upon which all hope is built. This echoes biblical truths found in passages like Isaiah 28:16 and 1 Peter 2:6, where Christ is depicted as the firm cornerstone that withstands the "fiercest drought and storm." The peace and comfort found in Him, a peace that transcends understanding (Philippians 4:7), emerge when our fears are calmed and our own efforts cease. He is truly our "All in All," as Colossians 3:11 describes, embodying the complete sufficiency of God's love and presence in every circumstance. This initial stanza sets a firm anchor for the soul, assuring us that our standing is secure, not in personal merit, but "in the love of Christ."
The narrative deepens as the song moves to Christ's incarnation and sacrificial work. It boldly proclaims the astonishing truth of "fullness of God in helpless babe," a profound mystery beautifully articulated in John 1:14, where the Word became flesh, and Colossians 2:9, stating that in Christ "all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form." This divine "Gift of love and righteousness" was met with rejection, a poignant reminder of Isaiah 53:3, foretelling Christ being "despised and rejected by mankind." The culmination of this redemptive story unfolds on the cross, where "the wrath of God was satisfied." This pivotal moment, where "every sin on Him was laid" (2 Corinthians 5:21), speaks directly to the doctrine of propitiation, where Christ’s sacrifice appeased God’s righteous anger against sin, allowing us to find new life "in the death of Christ."
The song then triumphantly turns to the resurrection, the ultimate victory over death and darkness. After His body lay in the ground, "light of the world by darkness slain" (John 8:12), the dramatic "bursting forth in glorious Day" proclaims the power of His resurrection. This glorious event, detailed in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, signifies that Christ "rose again," conquering the grave. Because He "stands in victory," sin's dominion over us is broken, fulfilling the promise of Romans 6:14 that "sin shall no longer be your master." This segment powerfully affirms our new identity and belonging: "I am His and He is mine," a sacred covenant sealed by the ultimate price—being "bought with the precious blood of Christ" (1 Peter 1:18-19).
The final stanza delivers a magnificent crescendo of assurance and hope, anchoring believers in an unshakable future. "No guilt in life no fear in death" encapsulates the freedom and security found in Christ, echoing Romans 8:1's declaration that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." From the very beginning of life to its end, Jesus sovereignly "commands my destiny," a truth reflected in Proverbs 16:9, which states that while we plan our way, the Lord establishes our steps. The song firmly asserts that "no power of hell no scheme of man / Can ever pluck me from His hand," a comforting echo of Jesus' own words in John 10:28-29, where He guarantees the eternal security of His sheep. This profound security extends "till he returns or calls me home," providing steadfast hope for either the second coming or our transition to glory. It’s a powerful testament to the unwavering might and grace of Christ, ensuring that "here in the power of Christ I'll stand!" This hymn doesn't just describe faith; it instills it, inviting every person to find their ultimate stability and purpose in Jesus Christ alone.