Near The Cross
The Celebration Choir Lyrics
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There a precious fountain,
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calvary's mountain.
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever,
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
2.Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.
(Refrain)
3.Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o'er me.
(Refrain)
4.Near the cross I'll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand
Just beyond the river.
(Refrain)
The lyrics of "Near the Cross" by The Celebration Choir reflects the desire to be close to the crucified Christ. The hymn acknowledges the presence of a precious fountain that is open to everyone, giving life-giving water that can heal and redeem all souls. The fountain is the blood that was shed by Jesus Christ on Calvary. The hymn's refrain, "in the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever, till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river" portrays the ultimate surrender to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the hope for eternal life.
The hymn brings to the limelight the emphasis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, the fountain of living water that brings healing and redemption to believers. The hymn's verse two explains how love and mercy have been found at the cross. The 'bright and morning star' shed its beams around us, giving us the hope and strength to continue our journey. In verse three, the hymn urges us to always remember Christ's sacrifice and to walk day to day with that knowledge. Finally, the last verse urges us to watch and wait, hoping and trusting eagerly for the day we shall meet our Father in Heaven.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesus, keep me near the cross;
Oh Jesus, please help me stay close to the cross;
There a precious fountain,
At the cross, there is a precious fountain;
Free to all, a healing stream,
Everyone can access the healing stream available at the cross;
Flows from Calvary's mountain.
This stream flows from Calvary's mountain where Jesus died for our sins;
In the cross, in the cross,
I will always find glory in the cross, yes, in the cross;
Be my glory ever,
Let the cross be my eternal source of glory;
Till my raptured soul shall find
May my enraptured soul continue to find;
Rest beyond the river.
True rest that can only be found beyond the river of life.
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
As I approach the cross, my soul trembles;
Love and mercy found me;
But it is here that I have found love and mercy;
There the bright and morning star
Here, I am reminded of the bright and morning star;
Sheds its beams around me.
Its beams are shed all around me.
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Oh Lamb of God, help me stay near the cross;
Bring its scenes before me;
Let me remember the scenes that took place at the cross;
Help me walk from day to day
May the cross guide me in my walk from day to day;
With its shadow o'er me.
May I always remain under the shadow of the cross.
Near the cross I'll watch and wait,
I will remain close to the cross, watching and waiting;
Hoping, trusting ever,
And I will always have hope and trust in the cross;
Till I reach the golden strand
Until I reach the golden strand on the other side;
Just beyond the river.
That lies just beyond the river of life.
Writer(s): R. Taff, J. Hollihan, L. Balman
Contributed by Henry B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.