Experience the profound peace and power of the cross with this soulful instrumental of “The Old Rugged Cross.” This arrangement invites you to “cling” to the message of Calvary—a place where suffering met glory and where our trophies are traded for an eternal crown.
The Scriptural Foundation
This beloved hymn is a musical echo of the Apostle Paul’s declaration in Galatians 6:14:
“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
As you listen, let the melody help you “cherish” the work of Christ. It is a reminder that the cross, though “despised by the world,” holds a wondrous attraction for those who have been redeemed by the Lamb of God.
The Story Behind the Hymn
Written in 1912 by evangelist George Bennard, “The Old Rugged Cross” was composed during a time of personal spiritual struggle. Bennard found himself reflecting deeply on the meaning of the cross and the sacrifice of Jesus. He later said the melody came to him first, but the words were a result of a deep “conviction” of the cross’s central place in the Gospel.
The hymn was first performed at a revival meeting in Michigan and quickly spread across the globe. Its enduring popularity lies in its raw honesty—acknowledging the “shame and reproach” of the cross while celebrating the “wondrous beauty” of the pardon it provides.
Hymn Lyrics (Part I)
1
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Chorus
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
2
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
Hymn Lyrics (Part II)
3
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
4
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
Chorus
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
Ways to Use This Instrumental
A Time of Repentance: Use the music to reflect on the “pardon” found in Christ’s sacrifice.
Daily Devotion: A perfect companion for reading the crucifixion and resurrection accounts in the Gospels.
Resting in Grace: Let the melody remind you that your “trophies” (achievements) are nothing compared to the “crown” that awaits.
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