A Hymn Reflecting on Christ's Death

Ann Ross Cousin was a wife and mother in the 19th century. Her husband was a pastor. She began to write hymn texts for their church services, and one in particular became very well known, "The Sands of Time Are Sinking." This is one of my favorite hymn texts about the subject of heaven, as it points our attention to the glory of the Lamb in Immanuel's Land.

Mrs. Cousin also wrote other hymns, one of which was popular in Britain, where she and her husband ministered. It is entitled, "O Christ, What Burdens Bowed Thy Head." It speaks of Christ's substitutionary death for us and is very fitting for this week as we remember Christ's death and glorious resurrection. May we meditate on the words of this text and rejoice in Christ's work on the cross on our behalf.

O Christ, what burdens bowed Thy head!

Our load was laid on Thee;

Thou stoodest in the sinner's stead,

And bore all ill for me.

A victim led, Thy blood was shed;

Now there's no load for me.

Death and the curse were in our cup:

O Christ, 'twas full for Thee!

But Thou hast drained the last dark drop,

'Tis empty now for me:

That bitter cup, love drank it up;

Now blessing's drawn for me.

Jehovah lifted up His rod:

O Christ, it fell on Thee!

Thou wast sore stricken of Thy God;

There's not one stroke for me:

Thy tears, Thy blood beneath it flowed;

Thy bruising healeth me.

For me, Lord Jesus, Thou hast died,

And I have died in Thee:

And Thou didst rise - my bands untied,

And now Thou liv'st in me:

When purified, made white, and tried,

Thy glory then for me!