Description

Augustus Toplady, theological champion of the so-called Particular Baptists of the 18th century, wrote many hymns so full of theology they seem to be exploding with truth. The hymn “From Whence This Fear and Unbelief” is no different, and it is strange that this hymn is not as well known or celebrated as his “Rock of Ages” or “A Debtor to Mercy Alone.” In this hymn, Toplady sets out to not only defend the doctrine of particular redemption, but to show that it is a holy occasion for praise. In perhaps the most powerful verse, he declares (lyrics have been modernized), “If pardon You have now secured and freely in my place endured the whole of wrath divine, God cannot payment twice demand, first at my bleeding Surety’s hand, and then again at mine.” If Jesus’ death paid for the sins of every person irrespective of whether they come to put their faith in Him as their Savior, it would be unjust of God to punish unbelievers for their sins since they would have already been punished at the cross. Either God must save everyone, or Jesus’ died for a particular people, as Jesus says in John 10:14-1: “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” And again, in Matthew 28:20: “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Lyrics

Show Original Wordings

Why should I fear or disbelieve?
Has not the Father caused to grieve
His spotless Son for me?
And will the righteous Judge of men
Condemn me for that debt of sin
Repaid at Calvary?

Complete atonement You have made,
And ev’ry debt Your blood has paid
With mercy’s precious flood.
How then can wrath on me take place
If sheltered in Your righteousness
And sprinkled with Your blood?
(Pre-chorus:)
I’ve found in Jesus a ransom boundless.

Chorus:
I look to Jesus’, Jesus’, Jesus’ blood,
I will put all of my trust in Him.
I look to Jesus’, Jesus’, Jesus’ cross
Where I am welcomed again and again.
I look to Jesus, Jesus, Jesus alone.

If pardon You have now secured
And freely in my place endured
The whole of wrath divine,
God cannot payment twice demand,
First at my bleeding Surety’s hand,
And then again at mine.
(Pre-chorus:)
I’ve found in Jesus a ransom boundless.

Bridge:
Here I will find my rest:
The merits of Jesus
Have paid my every debt in full.




From whence this fear and unbelief?
Hath not the Father put to grief
Which, Lord, was charged on Thee?
Complete atonement Thou hast made,
And to the utmost farthing paid
Whate’er Thy people owed:
Nor can His wrath on me take place,
If sheltered in Thy righteousness,
And sprinkled with Thy blood.
If Thou hast my discharge procured,
And freely in my room endured
Payment God cannot twice demand,
Turn then, my soul, unto thy rest;
The merits of thy great High Priest
Have bought thy liberty:
Trust in His efficacious blood,
Nor fear thy banishment from God,
Since Jesus died for thee.

Follow comments or trackback from your own site.