I cannot tell why He, whom angels worship

E934
1
I cannot tell why He, whom angels worship,
  Should set His love upon the sons of men,
Or why, as Shepherd, He should seek the wand’rers,
  To bring them back, they know not how or when.
But this I know, that He was born of Mary,
  When Bethl’hem’s manger was His only home,
And that He lived at Nazareth and labored,
  And so the Savior, Savior of the world, is come.
2
I cannot tell how silently He suffered,
  As with His peace He graced this place of tears,
Or how His heart upon the Cross was broken,
  The crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, He heals the broken-hearted,
  And stays our sin, and calms our lurking fear,
And lifts the burden from the heavy laden,
  For yet the Savior, Savior of the world, is here.
3
I cannot tell how He will win the nations,
  How He will claim His earthly heritage,
How satisfy the needs and aspirations
  Of east and west, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see His glory,
  And He shall reap the harvest He has sown,
And some glad day His sun shall shine in splendor
  When He the Savior, Savior of the world, is known.
4
I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
  When, at His bidding, every storm is stilled,
Or who can say how great the jubilation
  When all the hearts of men with love are filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
  And myriad, myriad human voices sing,
And earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, will answer:
  At last the Savior, Savior of the world, is King.
67
Kathryn

Vancouver, BC, Canada

I have always loved this hymn too, I think I first heard it in 1970. It was maybe the first hymn I ever heard, as a child who grew up in a non-Christian home, but my grandparents were Christians. It is amazing how the words come to you when you need them, just as the Word of God does. So strengthening, and also to hear from others here who feel the same.


Barbara White

Sugar Land, TX, United States

I cannot tell, but boy I am so glad He did. I love this hymn.


Catherine Otieno

Nairobi, Kenya

I cannot wait for My King to return and claim His Earth.


Venice Parsons

New York

A very beautiful song. I love, love!


Walter Mhlongo

Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

Great is the Lord whom we worship.


Kenneth Houghton

Blackburn, Lancs, United Kingdom

Precious words that bring wonderful assurance to me.


Dzulani

Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa

"But this I know, all flesh shall see His glory,

And He shall reap the harvest He has sown,

And some glad day His sun shall shine in splendor

When He the Savior, Savior of the world, is known."

Lovely hymn. I cannot wait for this time to come.


Dr. Nigel Lovell-Martin

Miami, Florida, United States

I grew up in the Moravian Church in Guyana and first sang this graceful hymn during Lent thirty three years ago. I have loved it ever since because of its theological depth which addresses the nativity, passion, and the expectation of the second coming of Christ as King.This hymn embodies all that the Church teaches in the most excellent way.


Carlene Curtis

Kingston, Jamaica

:) I absolutely appreciate this graceful ancient hymn which I feel very deeply every instance that I sing it.

Love it!!!


Michael Petras

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

I knew an English-born popular women's speaker, Irene Young, who told me she was at the Keswick Convention when she believed this song was first sung. She said we returned from lunch one day and a sheet with Fullerton's new hymn was on our seats. Fullerton was a regular and popular Keswick speaker. It is, of course, one of those hymns written to a particular tune, Londonderry Air. It captures the breadth and scope of Christian theology and experience and when Irene died she wished it sung at her funeral.