Thou From The Cradle To The Grave – Hymn Lyric
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Thou From The Cradle To The Grave – Hymn Lyric
Thou from the cradle to the grave
For us to pain condemned,
A grateful heart Thy people give
To praise their suffering friend-
That Friend who longed for man to die,
While yet in Mary’s womb;
That God who took humanity,
To lay it in the tomb.
He comes a babe, though Lord of all,
In cold and want to lie;
His cradle is the oxen’s stall,
The straw His drapery:
‘Tis love that makes the Innocent
The pains of guilt to bear,
The Giver of the law content
Its penalty to share.
That precious blood which gently flows
And speaks the law obeyed,
Foreshadoweth His dying woes
A little while delayed.
The sword that slays the sucklings now
Unsheathed must remain,
To pierce His heart and lay Him low
With those already slain.
His chosen race their God expel-
An exile poor He flies;
In heathen lands He seeks to dwell
Who made the earth and skies.
O King of suffering, King of love,
All praise be paid to Thee,
With Father, Spirit, God above,
Eternal Trinity.
Meaning of Thou From The Cradle To The Grave
Thou From The Cradle To The Grave: A Reflection on the Sacrificial Love of Jesus
In this hymn, we are reminded of the incredible love and sacrifice of Jesus, from the moment of His birth to His death on the cross. The words bring us to a place of gratitude and praise for our suffering friend, who willingly took on the pain and penalty of our sins. Let us delve deeper into these ideas, reflecting on the significance of each aspect of Jesus’ journey, and the impact it has on our lives.
The hymn begins by acknowledging Jesus’ condemnation to pain, from the moment He entered this world as a babe. We are called to have grateful hearts, recognizing that His suffering was for our sake. This suffering friend, the hymn tells us, longed for mankind to die while still in Mary’s womb. In these profound words, we are reminded of Jesus’ purpose on earth – to ultimately lay down His life for us.
As we continue reading, it becomes evident that Jesus, though the Lord of all, chose to be born in humble circumstances. His cradle was not a luxurious crib, but an oxen’s stall. His clothing was not fine linen, but straw. This imagery serves as a powerful reminder that Jesus willingly embraced poverty and want in order to identify with humanity. His birth in such humble surroundings shows us that love knows no boundaries or social status.
The hymn then shifts its focus to the concept of innocence bearing the pains of guilt. Jesus, the Giver of the law, became content to bear its penalty. In other words, the blameless One took upon Himself the consequences of our transgressions. This act of sacrificial love is a testament to Jesus’ unwavering commitment to us, despite our imperfections. The precious blood that flowed from His veins, even at a young age, foreshadowed the suffering He would endure for our redemption.
The hymn vividly describes the dark path that lay ahead for Jesus. It speaks of a sword that slays sucklings, a metaphorical representation of the cruelty and violence that awaited our Savior. This sword would eventually pierce His heart and bring Him low, much like it had already claimed the lives of others. The hymn reminds us that Jesus willingly faced this fate, embracing His chosen path even when it led to such ultimate pain and suffering.
We are then prompted to reflect on Jesus’ status as an exile in this world. The hymn speaks of Him being expelled by His chosen race, forced to flee to heathen lands. This portrayal highlights the irony of the situation – the very One who created the earth and skies sought shelter and refuge in a foreign land. It is a testament to Jesus’ willingness to experience the depths of human vulnerability and rejection for our sake.
Lastly, the hymn praises Jesus as the King of suffering and love. It calls for all praise to be paid to Him, along with the eternal Trinity of Father, Spirit, and God above. This declaration of Jesus’ kingship reminds us that despite the trials and hardships He endured, His ultimate victory over sin and death makes Him worthy of our highest praise and worship.
In conclusion, the hymn “Thou From The Cradle To The Grave” serves as a beautiful reflection on the sacrificial love of Jesus. It takes us on a journey from His birth in humble surroundings to His death on the cross, highlighting His willingness to suffer for our sake. Each verse deepens our understanding of Jesus’ unwavering love and serves as a reminder of the tremendous impact His sacrifice has on our lives. May these profound words continue to resonate in our hearts, inspiring us to live lives of gratitude and praise for our suffering friend, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I hope this hymn inspired image brings you hope and peace. Share it with someone who needs it today!
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