NewSong - Hold On To The Cross Lyrics
Lyrics
On a hill two-thousand years ago
A rugged cross was raised
For all the world to see
On that cross hung the Son of God
To take our sins away
To die for you and me
His sacrifice displayed a love
Never seen before
He's all my strength
He's all my hope
He's everything I live for
I will hold on to the cross
Surrender my life completely
Deep inside my heart I know
He will never let me go
I will hold on to the cross
And when this world pulls against me
He will be the strength I need
I will hold on to the cross
On that hill I have found a love
That will not fade away
For all eternity
A love so strong it
Reaches down through time
To fill my heart today
To live in me
I know that everything
I'll ever need is waiting there
My every strength, my every hope
The answer to my every prayer
To the peace I find in knowing
That His love will never fail
To the mercy and the hope I find
In Him and nowhere else
Video
Hold on to the Cross
Meaning & Inspiration
NewSong’s enduring track, “Hold On To The Cross,” released on January 15, 1997, as part of their album *Love Revolution*, stands as a powerful anthem of unwavering faith and commitment. From its opening declaration, the song immediately transports the listener to the foundational event of Christian belief: the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It meticulously unfolds the profound narrative of salvation, beginning with the historical moment "On a hill two-thousand years ago," where a "rugged cross was raised" for all humanity to witness. This setting establishes the ultimate act of divine love—God’s Son hanging on that cross, not for any wrongdoing of His own, but "To take our sins away, To die for you and me," a truth echoed profoundly in John 3:16 and Romans 5:8, where Christ’s death is presented as the supreme demonstration of God's love for a sinful world. The song's essence lies in the personal and universal impact of this sacrifice, transforming a historical event into an intimate testimony of grace.
The core message of “Hold On To The Cross” is one of complete surrender and steadfast devotion to Christ, recognizing His sacrifice as the source of all spiritual sustenance. The lyrics eloquently describe this sacrifice as displaying "a love never seen before," a boundless, unconditional love that finds its parallel in 1 John 4:9-10, where God’s love is manifested by sending His Son as an atoning sacrifice. This profound love becomes the very foundation for the believer's existence, declaring "He's all my strength, He's all my hope, He's everything I live for." This powerful affirmation aligns with Philippians 4:13, where believers find strength in Christ, and Colossians 1:27, which speaks of Christ in us, the hope of glory, making Him the ultimate purpose and meaning of life. The recurring chorus, "I will hold on to the cross, Surrender my life completely," serves as a commitment, a daily resolve to embrace the call of discipleship outlined in Luke 9:23, where Jesus invites His followers to deny themselves and take up their cross. This surrender isn't passive; it's an active choice to yield one's will to God, trusting in the promise that He "will never let me go," a divine assurance found in John 10:28-29 and Romans 8:38-39, affirming the unbreakable bond between Christ and His chosen.
Further enriching its message, the song acknowledges the trials of life, proclaiming, "And when this world pulls against me, He will be the strength I need." This resonates deeply with the Christian journey, where believers often face opposition and challenges, but find their resilience in God, as stated in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, where God's power is perfected in weakness. The lyrics reflect on a love discovered "On that hill," a love that "will not fade away, For all eternity," capturing the everlasting nature of God's affection described in Jeremiah 31:3. This love isn't confined to the past; it "Reaches down through time, To fill my heart today, To live in me," beautifully illustrating the indwelling Spirit of Christ that empowers and transforms, akin to Paul's declaration in Galatians 2:20, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." The song culminates in a triumphant expression of complete reliance, recognizing that "everything I'll ever need is waiting there," including strength, hope, and "the answer to my every prayer," a sentiment mirrored in Philippians 4:19, where God promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. Finally, the peace, mercy, and hope the song speaks of are found solely "In Him and nowhere else," reinforcing the exclusive sufficiency of Christ for salvation and abundant life, a truth central to Hebrews 4:16, inviting believers to draw near with confidence to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. "Hold On To The Cross" is more than a song; it is a profound declaration of faith, a reminder of the monumental sacrifice at Calvary, and an inspiring call to embrace Christ's unwavering love and strength in every aspect of life.