Hillsong Live has released Man of Sorrows, a digital single just in time for Easter – and relevant beyond that. It’s interesting to mention relevance, because Man of Sorrows features the kind of lyrics that we’ve been seeing make a return with Chris Tomlin’s Majesty (Crown Him) and My Chains Are Gone (Amazing Grace), Avalon’s In Christ Alone, and Hillsong’s own Cornerstone (referencing one of my own personal favorite hymns, My Hope is Built. That return to the classic hymnal sound and verse-chorus-verse-chorus song flow is welcomed by not a few people, who believe this rather reverent display of worship may be one of the balms to a Contemporary Christian praise and worship world where praise is anthemic-chorus-and-rock-guitar-driven, and worship is largely an uninspired set of tired and used “I love You, I worship You” platitudes.
Which brings us to the Brooke Ligertwood-Matt Crocker-penned Man of Sorrows. Thoughtfully written and expertly sung – Jad Gillies may be one of the best things to happen to Hillsong since Tulele Faletolu, and he’s brilliantly assisted by Annie Garrett – it is still, at the end of the day, a worship song, and it masterfully takes the lyrical depth and emotion of Isaiah 53 and spins it into something power-packed with emotion and strength. From the straightforward delivery of the lyrics to the percussive nature of the drums almost echoing Jesus’ death march, Man of Sorrows is so beautifully executed that it accomplishes three things: 1) it brings the worshiper to a clearer and more heartfelt understanding of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross; 2) it sets itself up to become a classic not just for Hillsong but for countless churches across the world that rely on the rich musical tradition of this Australian praise and worship outfit; and 3) it only underscores the ever-growing relevance and importance of Hillsong in the years to come. If Darlene Zschech and her forbears set the stage for Brian Houston’s church to carve out a name for itself in the growing-ever-crowded live worship marketplace, Matt Crocker, Joel Houston, and the new blood at Hillsong are bringing it in the direction of groundbreaking and glass ceiling shattering. Incredible.
MAN OF SORROWS Lyrics
Hillsong Live
MAN OF SORROWS
(Words and Music by Brooke Ligertwood & Matt Crocker)
VERSE 1:
Man of sorrows Lamb of God
By His own betrayed
The sin of man and wrath of God
Has been on Jesus laid
VERSE 2:
Silent as He stood accused
Beaten mocked and scorned
Bowing to the Father’s will
He wore a crown of thorns
VERSE 3:
Oh the nails that tore His flesh
The sword that pierced His side
The tree that bore the innocent
Our Saviour crucified
CHORUS:
Oh that rugged cross my salvation
Where Your love poured out over me
Now my soul cries out Hallelujah
Praise and honour unto Thee
VERSE 4:
Sent of heaven God’s own Son
To purchase and redeem
And reconcile the very ones
Who nailed Him to that tree
BRIDGE:
Now my debt is paid
It is paid in full
By the precious blood
That my Jesus spilled
Now the curse of sin
Has no hold on me
Whom the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
VERSE 5:
See the stone is rolled away
Behold the empty tomb
Hallelujah God be praised
He’s risen from the grave
