Evermore

Phil Wickham's "Songs for Christmas", which is fast becoming my favourite Christmas album, contains what in my mind is a stunning song called "Evermore" It's based on an old hymn called "Of the Father's love begotten" and Phil Wickham added a chorus onto it (and probably tweaked some words but I haven't gone through the 2 and compared!). Most people would agree that carols at times fall on the weak side in terms of words and theology... "The little lord Jesus no crying He makes" one of the more famous strange lyrics...

Evermore though I think falls more on the "Hark the Herald" line with some brilliant lines to do with incarnation and condescension. The chorus  to me is just one of those you want to sing out loudly at the top of your voice. Verse 3 really stands out for me

He is found in human fashion
Death and sorrow here to know
That the race of Adam's children
Doomed by law to endless woe
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below
But forever rest in beauty
In the lights of Heaven's glow


I love the depth of lyrics and how the gospel rings out from it! The old hymn it was based on has some interesting words too - check it out here 

Do check it out and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.


Here are the full lyrics

Verse 1:
Of the Father's love begotten
'Ere the world began to be
He the source of all that has been
And all the future years will see

Chorus:
Evermore, evermore
He shall reign forevermore
Humble King, Sovereign Lord
He shall reign forevermore

Verse 2:
Oh that birth forever blessed
When the chosen virgin go
By the Holy Ghost conceiving
Bore the Savior of our world

Verse 3:
He is found in human fashion
Death and sorrow here to know
That the race of Adam's children
Doomed by law to endless wo
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below
But forever rest in beauty
In the lights of Heaven's glow