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And Can it be that I should gain
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Oct 8, 2026 updated
Verified editorial review
Song Meaning
Charles Wesley wrote “And Can It Be That I Should Gain” in 1738, shortly after his own conversion, and the hymn is usually sung to Thomas Campbell's tune Sagina. It starts with amazement that the death of Christ could have anything to do with him. “Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued?” The refrain stays with that wonder: “Amazing love! How can it be, that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?”
The second verse says that even the “firstborn seraph” cannot “sound the depths of love divine,” so the only answer is “'Tis mercy all.” The third describes the Son leaving “His Father's throne above” and “emptied Himself of all but love.” The fourth is the best known: “Long my imprisoned spirit lay, fast bound in sin and nature's night,” until a ray of light came and “my chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.” The final verse is confident: “No condemnation now I dread,” and the singer approaches the throne boldly to claim the crown.
Emptying himself echoes Philippians 2:7, no condemnation is Romans 8:1, and approaching the throne with boldness is Hebrews 4:16.
Lyrics Verified by Editorial Team
an interest in the Savior's blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
'Tis mystery all: th' Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.
He left his Father's throne above
(so free, so infinite his grace!),
emptied himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature's night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach th' eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th' eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.