A musician picks his or her notes for various reasons: I chose mine for the intro, turnaround, and outro for these reasons, among others. And Christians let the word of Christ dwell richly in them, I hope some can take inspiration for their own melody-making in their heart to the Lord.

The Higher Melody: The Lord of Heaven has set the pattern for us to emulate here on earth.
Repeated an Octave Lower: This is the pattern as we walk it here on earth.
Middle C: The place all students of the piano start, symbolizing that this is as basic to the Christian life as Middle C on the Piano.
The 7 tones: 7 is a number symbolizing completeness.
Resolving to the Tonic: Even though the melody jumps high and low, it comes back to the note in the middle of the five notes, which we also discover as we listen is the gravitational center of the music. Even so, the Cross is where high and low meet and find that this is ground zero for the new Kingdom.

When you listen to the melody, you may now hear more of the meaning that was put there, and when you look at the Cross of Christ, I hope you will see more of the meaning that has been put there. Also, the song’s meter is a common meter of eight syllables followed by six syllables and eight and six again. (8.6.8.6) It makes it easy to sing together, put other melodies to like “Amazing Grace,” or “Auld Lang Syne,” and to memorize. May the message of the cross be kept in a common enough meter for all mankind to sing it as one. This anthem was written for the whole church. May His body be fully gathered to carry His cross for the lost world, who desperately needs to know His sacrificial love in human form—the reason for which Christ Jesus came in the first place.

In Galatians 6:14, Paul said, “But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” For the Christian, there is nothing else to boast of. When you consider the richness of the word of Christ, it indeed dwells in you and inspires song, hymn, and spiritual song! Even nations unsubmitted to the Gospel reign of Jesus are moved to song by His victory of humble love. Far be it from us that we should boast in anything—any gift, any program, any wealth, or prowess. But thy cross is thy boast: for this we have embraced is the only fitting requisite for the resurrection crown of glory.

And so I leave it with you: The Word of the Cross. “The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those of us who are being saved, it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18) This Word is sufficient to effect exhortation, justification, restoration, emancipation, liberation, polarization, and inspiration. Reinterpret your whole life according to the cross, take it up and follow Him, and O the blessing it will be to the world and to you in Christ! Let’s just say, you too will have before you the same “joy that was set before Him.” (Hebrews 12:2). And what does God’s word in James 5:13 tell him who is joyful to do? “Let Him sing praises.”

Reflection Questions:

• Which verse of the song stands out the most to you in your life right now?
• What other aspects of Christ’s work of the cross could be added to these five?
• What other melodies could you use to sing this song?
• Write your own song expressing thankful praise to God for His saving work at the Cross, and share it with your brothers and sisters.