Man of Sorrows, what a name

Phillip Bliss was born in a log cabin and grew up on a small country farm in Pennsylvania, later working for several years in lumber camps. His parents were dedicated Christians, and most of the schooling that Philip received was through his parents’ Bible teaching, and hymn singing. One day, when Philip was a boy of 11, he was selling his family’s vegetables in the nearby town when he heard some beautiful piano music being played for the first time. This grabbed his attention and further opened his awareness to his love for and ability in music. At age 11, Philip left home to make his own way, at first toiling as a logger. Later, his singing and composing abilities were discovered and encouraged by others, and he eventually became a music teacher. This hymn, “Man of Sorrows, ” presents us with a beautiful picture of how Christ suffered, died, and then rose again to save us. It was published shortly before his tragic death.

Lewis Codington

What an amazing hymn! What amazing words! What a great tune!

Thank you Jesus for redeeming us

I feel lifted anytime I sing this hymn.

HALLELUJAH, MY SAVIOR!!!!

This is an amazing son it is very delicate it speaks to us about a lot of things

What an amazing hymn, Hallelujah What a Savior! This 19th century brother's hymn & tune touched a 21st century brother to tears as the Lord Christ Jesus touched my heart with His grace & compassion! Thank you sister Ana Lara for the background on P P Bliss, it was much appreciated! Hallelujah What a Savior we have!

What a song

Jesus took my load and punishment

Greater love has no one than this ; than someone who died for his friends

Hallelujah, what a savior

This song always touches my soul. It reminds me about God's love to us , He gave His begotten son to die for our sins. The blood of Jesus which was she'd at calvery even today it has power. Amen

When Moody and Sankey were in Paris, holding meetings in the old church, which in the earlier century, Napoleon had placed at the disposal of Evangelicals, Mr. Sankey frequently sang this hymn as a solo, asking his French congregation to join in the single phrase, “Hallelujah! what a Savior!” which they did with remarkable enthusiasm. An interesting fact is that the word “Hallelujah” is the same in almost every language all over the world.

This hymn was written by P. P. Bliss in 1876, at a Gospel meeting in Farwell Hall, Chicago, conducted by Henry Moorehouse, the renowned evangelist. Among early writers in Sankey’s “Sacred Songs and Solos,” Bliss takes a prominent place. He was both a poet and a musician, and practically all his hymns were set to music by himself. These quickly became popular, and at the commencement of the great Moody and Sankey mission, which brought songs from continent to continent, at once established them in the hearts and homes of many-a-believer.

When Bliss was thirty years old, an event occurred which he regarded as one of the most important of his life; it was when he met D. L. Moody, who was at the time holding Gospel services in Chicago. P. P. Bliss had a splendid bass voice with an outstanding tone and quality, his powerful singing attracted the attention of Mr. Moody. This meeting had long lasting effects; it began a movement that was among the most blessed and remarkable during the last half of the 19C.

Mr. Bliss wrote many hymns. To him, writing was a spontaneous out-flow of the emotion and melody with which his soul was filled. His hymns breathed a spirit of devotion. With him the “Coming of the Lord” was a Scripture truth so vivid that his life felt the inspiration of it in everything he said or did. This is exemplified in the last verse of “Man of Sorrows,” where the writer uses words of exultation:

“When He comes our glorious King,

All the ransomed home to bring,

Then anew this song to sing:

Hallelujah! What a Savior!”

Often he would come to his wife with the theme of a hymn, with his face shining and his eyes with tears, and would ask for prayers that God would bless the hymn. At other times, when he found that God was using his songs to bring some precious truth of the Gospel, or the exaltation of the Lord Jesus, his heart would overflow with joy.

D. L. Moody wrote about his singing: “As a writer and singer of Gospel songs he was, in my estimate, the most highly honored of God of any man of his time; and with all his gifts, he was among the most humble man I ever knew.”

“I will sing of my Redeemer,

And his wondrous love for me:

On the cruel cross He suffered,

From the curse He set me free.”

This was his last composition.

There is a sad event attached to this hymn, having been written a few days before his tragic death. The manuscript was discovered by Mr. James McGranahan among his friend’s belongings, and he wrote for it the beautiful tune to which it is still sung today.

Phillip Paul Bliss was called home on December 29, 1876. He and his wife were traveling together toward Chicago, when at Ashtabula, Ohio, a railway bridge collapsed and the train was thrown into the stream below. Mr. Bliss initially escaped but died in an attempt to save his wife from the burning carriage. He was thirty eight years of age.