I cannot tell why He, whom angels worship

1
I cannot tell why He, whom angels worship,
  Should set His love upon the sons of men,
Or why, as Shepherd, He should seek the wand'rers,
  To bring them back, they know not how or when.
But this I know, that He was born of Mary,
  When Bethl'hem's manger was His only home,
And that He lived at Nazareth and labored,
  And so the Savior, Savior of the world, is come.
2
I cannot tell how silently He suffered,
  As with His peace He graced this place of tears,
Or how His heart upon the Cross was broken,
  The crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, He heals the broken-hearted,
  And stays our sin, and calms our lurking fear,
And lifts the burden from the heavy laden,
  For yet the Savior, Savior of the world, is here.
3
I cannot tell how He will win the nations,
  How He will claim His earthly heritage,
How satisfy the needs and aspirations
  Of east and west, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see His glory,
  And He shall reap the harvest He has sown,
And some glad day His sun shall shine in splendor
  When He the Savior, Savior of the world, is known.
4
I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
  When, at His bidding, every storm is stilled,
Or who can say how great the jubilation
  When all the hearts of men with love are filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
  And myriad, myriad human voices sing,
And earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, will answer:
  At last the Savior, Savior of the world, is King.
62
Kenneth Houghton

Blackburn, Lancs, United Kingdom

Precious words that bring wonderful assurance to me.


Dzulani

Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa

"But this I know, all flesh shall see His glory,

And He shall reap the harvest He has sown,

And some glad day His sun shall shine in splendor

When He the Savior, Savior of the world, is known."

Lovely hymn. I cannot wait for this time to come.


Dr. Nigel Lovell-Martin

Miami, Florida, United States

I grew up in the Moravian Church in Guyana and first sang this graceful hymn during Lent thirty three years ago. I have loved it ever since because of its theological depth which addresses the nativity, passion, and the expectation of the second coming of Christ as King.This hymn embodies all that the Church teaches in the most excellent way.


Carlene Curtis

Kingston, Jamaica

:) I absolutely appreciate this graceful ancient hymn which I feel very deeply every instance that I sing it.

Love it!!!


Michael Petras

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

I knew an English-born popular women's speaker, Irene Young, who told me she was at the Keswick Convention when she believed this song was first sung. She said we returned from lunch one day and a sheet with Fullerton's new hymn was on our seats. Fullerton was a regular and popular Keswick speaker. It is, of course, one of those hymns written to a particular tune, Londonderry Air. It captures the breadth and scope of Christian theology and experience and when Irene died she wished it sung at her funeral.


Bertha

Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa

I had a hectic week so far. Missing my deceased grandmother, my mother giving me stress and missing my ex boyfriend, and failing my exams and today this hymn came to my mind and the part that came to my mind was: but this I know He came to heal the broken hearted and I know that is true.


Becky

Anacortes, WA, United States

I discovered this hymn many years ago, yet it never ceases to make me weep. I long for this day - when our King receives the worship and honor He deserves - "Earth to heaven and heaven to earth shall answer, at last, the Savior, Savior of the world is King!"


Rudolph

Montego Bay, St. James, Jamaica

I learned this song in devotions at Ferncourt High School, St. Ann, Jamaica during the period 1975-1980. I love this song so much, I still remember it today.


Jim

Doha, Qatar

I sang this hymn for the 1st time this morning. It says it all - I don't know....BUT THIS I KNOW!


Kenny Austin

Dereham, Norfolk, United Kingdom

I stumbed across this website but I would like to add a comment. There is so much confusion and uncertainty in this world today but this hymn, set to this tune, Londonderry Air, so reminds me that God is my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer. It so strengthens me so that often tears come flooding from my eyes. God bless you who read this.