Avis B. Christiansen – Blessed Redeemer

Good Friday is when followers of Jesus remember the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made to pay the penalty for our lawbreaking.  It is a somber time of reflection and prayer.

Neal Cruco proposed that I should start doing “Good Friday” reviews to commemorate this important day, starting with Avis B. Christiansen’s classic hymn Blessed Redeemer.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.

1. What message does the song communicate?

This song highlights several details concerning the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, including:

• The place of His death is called “Calvary”.
• He was tired during His walk to Calvary.
• He was crucified on the cross/tree to save sinners from spiritual death.
• He is our Redeemer.
• He suffered and died before and during His crucifixion.
• Circumstances surrounding His personal well-being did not thwart His mission.
• He asked the Father to forgive those responsible for His death.

In response, Christiansen worships Him for all eternity.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

The entire song aligns with God’s inspired Word.

This song is public domain.

[Verse 1]

Up Calv’ry’s mountain, one dreadful morn,

Also known as Golgotha or “the skull”, Calvary is where Jesus was crucified (Matthew 27:33, Mark 15:22, and John 19:17).  The English name “Calvary” derives from the Vulgate Latin “Calvariae”, which means “skullcap”.

According to Mark 15:25, Jesus was crucified in the third hour.  It is generally accepted that the 0th hour is at sunrise.  According to Jeruslam 2022 sunrise data, the latest sunrise time is around 20 minutes before 7 AM.  If we add three hours to this, it would have been the “third hour”, or close to 10 AM.  Christiansen is correct when she says “morn” or morning.  She is also correct when she says “dreadful” because Jesus was suffering crucifixion.

Walked Christ my Savior, weary and worn;

Considering that he was flogged (John 19:1, Mark 15:15, and Matthew 27:26) and was given a crown of thorns (Matthew 27:29, Mark 15:17, and John 19:1-3), this is an understatement!

Facing for sinners death on the cross,
That He might save them from endless loss.

Jesus paid the penalty for sinners on the cross (Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, John 19:30, Acts 4:12, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15-26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9).  He came to save us from eternal separation from God (Matthew 18:7-9, Matthew 25:41, Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43, Romans 6:23, Jude 1:7, and Revelation 14:11).

[Refrain]

Blessed Redeemer! Precious Redeemer!

Jesus is the One who redeems us (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-8, 1 Corinthians 6:20, Hebrews 5:9, Hebrews 9:28, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:9, and 1 John 2:2).

Seems now I see Him on Calvary’s tree;

That is, a structure made of wood (Acts 5:30, Acts 10:39, Acts 13:29, Galatians 3:13, and 1 Peter 2:24).

Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading,

We are reminded during communion that Jesus’ blood was shed for us (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20, and 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

Blind and unheeding—dying for me!

Not that Jesus was physically blind, but that He turned a blind eye to His well-being as He suffered and died on the cross.  Evidence of this is within Verse 2.

[Verse 2]

“Father forgive them!” thus did He pray,
E’en while His lifeblood flowed fast away;
Praying for sinners while in such woe—
No one but Jesus ever loved so.

Jesus’ prayer for the Father to forgive those who put Him up there (Luke 23:34).

[Verse 3]

Oh, how I love Him, Savior and Friend,
How can my praises ever find end!
Through years unnumbered on heaven’s shore,
My tongue shall praise Him forevermore.

Christiansen responds to Christ’s lovingkindness with endless praise (Nehemiah 9:5, Psalm 30:12, Psalm 52:9, Psalm 86:12, Psalm 89:1, Psalm 115:18, Psalm 145:1-2, Psalm 145:21, and Revelation 5:9-13).

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers will instantly know it’s Christian from the song’s opening lines, throwing terms like “Calvary”, “Christ”, “Savior”, and “sinners” within the opening lines.  This song’s lyrics are heavily Christianese, yet, easy for them to pick up what Christiansen is laying down.  Even the word “sinner” is explained in Verse 1, that people don’t just make mere mistakes.  They will experience “eternal loss’ for their error.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus as the One who rescues sinners from eternal damnation through His death on the cross.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Avis B. Christiansen’s Blessed Redeemer is a fantastic song.  There are few songs that can accurately capture Scriptural truths such as Christ’s death and the details surrounding therein in deeply poetic fashion, yet, easily understood by unbelievers who hear.  Its themes of Christ’s suffering, unwavering willingness to sacrifice for our sins, and Christiansen’s response to worship Him forever bring Him glory.

I highly recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Blessed Redeemer (listen to Southwest Baptist Church’s version of the song)

Artist: Avis B. Christiansen

Album: N/A

Genre: Hymn

Release Year: 1920

Duration: N/A

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