Hey, Church! 

The Church has been overwhelmingly blessed by a handful of songwriters who have given us what are popularly called “modern hymns.” Keith and Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend, Matt Papa, Michael Bleecker, Phil Wickham, Matt Boswell, and the songwriters of ministries like CityAlight and Sovereign Grace have each made generational contributions to the Church’s worship. In a day where media is only a quickly-passing dopamine flash in the pan, it is deeply refreshing to the soul to sing songs that will very likely still be sung in the congregations of our great-grandchildren. 

One of my favorite modern hymns is “Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery,” written by Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, and Michael Bleecker. This will not surprise anyone who knows me, but my favorite arrangement of the song is by Shane & Shane. Take a look at the video and lyrics below, followed by some commentary from a hymnologist. 

Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery

Verse 1
Come behold the wondrous myst’ry
In the dawning of the King
He the theme of heaven’s praises
Robed in frail humanity
In our longing in our darkness
Now the light of life has come
Look to Christ who condescended
Took on flesh to ransom us

Verse 2
Come behold the wondrous myst’ry
He the perfect Son of Man
In His living in His suff’ring
Never trace nor stain of sin
See the true and better Adam
Come to save the hell-bound man
Christ the great and sure fulfillment
Of the law in Him we stand

Verse 3
Come behold the wondrous myst’ry
Christ the Lord upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the Lamb in victory
See the price of our redemption
See the Father’s plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory
Grace unmeasured love untold

Verse 4
Come behold the wondrous myst’ry
Slain by death the God of life
But no grave could e’er restrain Him
Praise the Lord He is alive
What a foretaste of deliv’rance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when He comes

Chris Fenner of the Hymnology Archive explains the song’s structure: 

Whereas “In Christ Alone” begins and ends with statements of confidence in the person and work of Christ in stanzas 1 and 4, with the narrative arc of that work in 2 and 3, “Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery” begins with the narrative, set up like a good storyteller, beckoning listeners to hear something fantastic. Each stanza begins with the same five-word summons.

In the first stanza, the writers established the duality of the heavenly King who was “robed in frail humanity,” as in Philippians 2:5-7. Also embedded in the text are the ideas of light (Jn. 1:9) and a preview of the purpose behind this journey: to pay a ransom (Mark 10:45). The second stanza speaks more about the person of Christ, using his name “Son of Man” (Dan. 7:13; Mk. 10:45), describing him as sinless (Heb. 4:15), as the second Adam (Rom. 5:12-21; 1 Cor. 15:21-22, 45-49), and as the fulfillment of the law (Matt. 5:17). The third stanza deals more directly with the crucifixion, describing a substitutionary atonement (“in the stead of ruined sinners,” Gal. 3:13), a sacrificial Lamb (Jn. 1:29, Rev. 5:12), offering a grace without measure (Jn. 1:16). The final stanza transitions from the cross to the resurrection, beginning with another poetic duality (“slain by death, the God of life”). The “foretaste of deliverance” is likely in reference to the more complete deliverance promised to come (for example, Rev. 21:1-8). The unwavering hope is a nice connection to the song’s hymnic predecessor [“In Christ Alone”]. Lastly, the song describes a resurrection of believers at the Second Coming (Jn. 5:25-29, Rom. 6:5, 1 Cor. 15).

When we gather for worship this Sunday, will you bring God your very best worship? When we sing together, will you raise your voice with your loudest praise? The songs we sing ultimately belong to you, the Church–to all of us, more than to the writers. So don’t just sing them like words someone else wrote; take hold of them and make them your own declarations of praise, trust, and gratitude to your Father. The worship team and I will be there, ready to cheer you on!