Beneath The Cross of Jesus Lyrics
Tune: ST. CHRISTOPHER, Composer: Frederick C. Maker
- Verse 1
- Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand,
- The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land;
- A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,
- From the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.
- Verse 2
- Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see
- The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me;
- And from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess;
- The wonders of redeeming love and my own worthlessness.
- Verse 3
- I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;
- I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face;
- Content to let the world go by to know no gain or loss,
- My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.
My Exposition On This Hymn
Beneath the cross of Jesus is a powerful hymn that was written in the year 1872 by Elizabeth Clephane
This song shares with us imagery from Psalm 91 for we know in Psalm 91 the scripture says that He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
And in this song, we see "the shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land", paying homage to Psalm 91 and of course.This hymn by Elizabeth Celephane also mentions the cross of The Lord Jesus and and paying attention to the cross and the sacrifice that the Lord Jesus paid for all of us to be united to God. The song writer says, I take o cross thy shadow for my abiding place, my sinful self, my only shame, my glory, all the cross.
The hymn shares with us that we can exchange our sin for his righteousness, as the scripture says we can exchange our dirty rags for His precious righteousness, for scripture indeed declares that we are the righteousness of God in Christ, Jesus. And so this is a powerful, inspiring hymn that touches upon different themes from both Psalm 91 and the epistles of the Apostle Paul.
| Scholar | View on Lyrics / Hymn Interpretation |
|---|---|
| John Julian Author, A Dictionary of Hymnology 1829–1913 | Notes that Beneath the Cross of Jesus emphasizes the believer’s refuge and spiritual rest under the cross. Julian highlights Clephane’s personal piety and the hymn’s devotional intensity. |
| Hymn Writers and Editors of Victorian Hymnals Various UK Editors 1830–1900 | Included the hymn in collections emphasizing devotional reflection and pastoral comfort. The hymn was valued for its meditative imagery and encouragement of trust in Christ. |
| C. H. Spurgeon Baptist preacher, sermon collections 1834–1892 | While not specifically writing on the hymn, Spurgeon’s sermons reflect the same themes of refuge under the cross and Christian perseverance, which contextualizes the hymn’s Victorian devotional use. |
| J. R. Macduff Scottish minister and hymn writer 1825–1907 | Commented on Victorian evangelical hymnody emphasizing spiritual rest and pious reflection; Beneath the Cross of Jesus is seen as exemplary of such devotional sentiment. |
| F. W. Faber Author of devotional works and hymns 1814–1863 | His writings on devotional poetry stress mystical union with Christ and meditative reflection, illustrating the kind of spiritual sentiment expressed in Clephane’s hymn. |
Church Fathers on The Theme of Beneath The Cross
| Church Father | View on God’s Righteousness in the Cross | Key Work / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Augustine of Hippo (354–430) | The cross reveals God’s justice and mercy: Christ satisfies God’s righteous judgment against sin while granting forgiveness to sinners. | On the Spirit and the Letter, City of God |
| Athanasius of Alexandria (296–373) | God’s righteousness is displayed in the cross as the defeat of sin and death. Humanity is restored, and God’s justice against sin is fulfilled. | On the Incarnation |
| Cyril of Alexandria (c. 376–444) | The cross demonstrates God’s righteousness through Christ’s obedience and sacrifice, showing God’s law upheld while granting reconciliation. | Commentary on John |
| John Chrysostom (c. 347–407) | Righteousness is shown in God’s patient justice; Christ bears the punishment deserved by sinners, reconciling humanity without compromising God’s holiness. | Homilies on Romans |
| Gregory of Nyssa (c. 335–395) | The cross reveals God’s righteousness as transformative: by Christ’s death, humanity is purified and restored, and God’s moral order is vindicated. | On the Making of Man |
See if you can play the hymn below on our keyboard (It Plays!)
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Listen and Watch The Founder, Quinson Thomas, play It is well with my soul - lyrics included.
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