NewSong - 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
'Til 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
Sins 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
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
Video
In Christ Alone - Boyce Worship Collective
Meaning & Inspiration
"In Christ Alone," as recorded by NewSong and featured on their 2013 album *Swallow the Ocean (Deluxe Edition)*, released on February 26th of that year, stands as a modern hymn of profound theological depth and spiritual assurance. While the song itself was originally penned by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty, NewSong's rendition brought it to a broader audience, further cementing its place as a cornerstone in contemporary worship. The power of this song lies not merely in its melodic accessibility but in its comprehensive articulation of the Christian faith, meticulously tracing the redemptive narrative from creation's fall to eternal security, all centered steadfastly on the person and work of Jesus Christ.
The narrative of "In Christ Alone" immediately establishes Christ as the ultimate foundation for all hope and existence. The opening verses paint a picture of unwavering reliance, portraying Jesus as the "light, strength, and song," a "cornerstone" and "solid ground" that endures through any tribulation. This echoes scriptural truths found in Ephesians 2:20, where Christ is described as the chief cornerstone, and 1 Peter 2:6, which calls Him a "chosen and precious cornerstone" upon which believers are built. In a world characterized by shifting sands and fleeting promises, the song confidently asserts that true peace and stability are found when human fears are stilled and strivings cease, resting in Him as the "Comforter" and "All in All," an identity richly detailed throughout Isaiah 9:6 and Colossians 1:17.
The song then gracefully transitions to the miraculous incarnation, the pivotal moment when "fullness of God in helpless babe" took on flesh. This powerful imagery brings to mind John 1:1 and Philippians 2:6-8, which speak to Christ's divine nature humbling itself to humanity. This "gift of love and righteousness," however, was met with scorn by the very people He came to save, a poignant reflection of Isaiah 53:3. The narrative proceeds directly to the cross, the epicenter of Christian theology, stating unequivocally that "the wrath of God was satisfied." This bold declaration encapsulates the doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement, where every sin was "laid on Him," fulfilling prophecies like Isaiah 53:5-6 and solidifying the message of 2 Corinthians 5:21 that Christ became sin for us. It is "in the death of Christ" that believers truly live, having been redeemed from sin's power.
The story culminates in the triumph of the resurrection, moving from the darkness where the "Light of the world by darkness slain" lay in the ground, to "bursting forth in glorious day" as He rose again. This celebration of victory aligns perfectly with 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, which declares Christ's death and resurrection as the core of the Gospel, and Romans 6:9-10, emphasizing His victory over death forever. With Christ standing in victory, "sin's curse has lost its grip" on the believer. This freedom is a direct result of being "bought with the precious blood of Christ," a truth beautifully articulated in 1 Peter 1:18-19, highlighting the immeasurable cost of salvation and the personal bond between Christ and His followers: "I am His and He is mine."
Finally, the song articulates the profound security and assurance that stems from this redemptive work. "No guilt in life, no fear in death" is a powerful testament to the liberating power of the Gospel, mirroring Romans 8:1 and Hebrews 2:14-15, which speak of freedom from condemnation and the fear of death. From life's beginning to its end, "Jesus commands my destiny," acknowledging God's sovereign plan as described in Jeremiah 29:11. The concluding verses offer an unshakeable promise: "No power of hell, no scheme of man / Can ever pluck me from His hand." This resonates deeply with John 10:28-29 and Romans 8:38-39, assuring believers of an unbreakable, eternal grip. Until His return or the call home, the steadfast truth remains: "Here in the power of Christ I'll stand." This song, therefore, is not merely a collection of Christian platitudes; it is a theological masterpiece, a narrative hymn that comprehensively unpacks the essential truths of the Christian faith, offering deep comfort, unwavering hope, and profound inspiration to all who embrace its message.