Sweet the Moments Rich in Blessing
Sweet the moments rich in blessing
Sweet the Moments Rich in Blessing is a hymn text by James Allen Madan (1862) in 8.7.8.7 D meter. Found in CW21 400, CW93 111, ELH 300, lw 358.
The hymn reflects Lutheran emphasis on justification through Christ's atoning blood and the assurance of forgiveness. It expresses the joy of sanctification and the believer's intimate union with Christ through faith.
History & Background
Written by James Allen Madan in 1862, this hymn emphasizes the cleansing power of Christ's blood and the blessedness of communion with the Savior. It appeared in various hymnals throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in Lutheran and Methodist traditions.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 400
- Christian Worship — 111
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 300
- Lutheran Worship — 358
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 155
Bulletin Note
Written by James Allen Madan in 1862, this hymn expresses classical Lutheran theology of justification through Christ's blood and the believer's sanctified joy. It remains a treasured meditation on the intersection of Law, Gospel, and Sacrament.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Lutheran proclamation of justification by grace through faith: it shows how the Law's accusation gives way to the Gospel's sweetness, moving the believer from guilt to assurance through contemplation of Christ's redemptive work.
Overview
An English Passion meditation: the time spent 'before the cross' is sweet because there we receive life, health and peace from 'the sinner's dying Friend' (st. 1). There we see all our sins laid on Jesus and redemption flowing from his sacrifice (st. 2), find heaven's dawn and forgiveness (st. 3); the singers pray to stay near the cross, undivided (st. 4), until contemplation gives way to sight of unveiled glory (st. 5). Shirley reworked an earlier hymn by James Allen.
Central theme: Lingering at the cross, where sins are seen laid on Jesus and forgiveness, life and peace are received
Structure
Five 8.7.8.7 quatrains. Sweet moments (1) — sins on Jesus (2) — dawn of heaven (3) — cleaving (4) — contemplation to sight (5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel throughout: 'All our sins on Jesus laid'; 'trespasses forgiven.'
Confessional Connections
1 John 1:7 (TLH's text): 'the blood of Jesus… cleanses us from all sin.' St. 2, 'all our sins on Jesus laid' — Isa 53:6, the substitution confessed in AC III and Ap IV. 'Life and health and peace' — Luther's triad in the Sacrament (SC: 'forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation'). Contemplation of the cross is not mystical ascent but faith beholding the promise (Gal 6:14; 'I decided to know nothing… except Jesus Christ and him crucified,' 1 Cor 2:2).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Lent; Holy Week; Good Friday; Communion.
Historical Notes
Hon. Walter Shirley (1725-1786), Anglican clergyman connected with the Countess of Huntingdon, revised James Allen's 1757 hymn 'While my Jesus I'm possessing' in 1770.
About the Tune
RINGE RECHT (Musikalischer Christenschatz, Basel, 1745).
Scripture References
1 John 1:7 Gal 6:14 Isa 53:6 1 Pet 2:24 Heb 9:12 Luke 1:78-79 Col 2:13-15 Ps 63:8 Phil 3:7-8 Heb 12:2 2 Cor 3:18 1 Cor 13:12
Stanza by Stanza
Sweet and full of blessing are the moments we spend before the cross, receiving life, health and peace from the sinner's dying Friend.
'Far be it from me to boast except in the cross' (Gal 6:14). 'A friend of… sinners' (Matt 11:19). Life, health, peace — the gifts of the cross.
- Scripture
- Gal 6:14, Matt 11:19, 1 John 1:7
- Imagery & language
- Moments at the cross; dying Friend.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — blessing at the cross.
- Connection to previous
- Sweet moments.
Here we rest in wonder, seeing all our sins laid on Jesus; here we see redemption flowing from the sacrifice he made.
'The LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all' (Isa 53:6). 'He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree' (1 Pet 2:24). Eternal redemption (Heb 9:12).
- Scripture
- Isa 53:6, 1 Pet 2:24, Heb 9:12
- Imagery & language
- Sins laid on Jesus; redemption flowing.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — substitution.
- Connection to previous
- Sins on Jesus.
Here, gazing at the cross, we find the dawn of heaven, see our sins forgiven and raise our songs of triumph.
'The sunrise shall visit us from on high' (Luke 1:78). The cross as triumph — 'forgiven us all our trespasses… triumphing over them in him' (Col 2:13-15).
- Scripture
- Luke 1:78-79, Col 2:13-15
- Imagery & language
- Dawn; forgiven; triumph.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — forgiveness and victory.
- Connection to previous
- Dawn of heaven.
Oh, that, staying near the cross, we may cling to the Savior, with nothing dividing our hearts from him, content to leave everything for him!
'My soul clings to you' (Ps 63:8). 'I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ' (Phil 3:8).
- Scripture
- Ps 63:8, Phil 3:7-8, Luke 14:33
- Imagery & language
- Abiding; cleaving; all left.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — undivided heart.
- Connection to previous
- Cleaving.
Lord, fix our hearts and eyes on you in loving contemplation until we taste your full salvation and see your unveiled glory.
'Looking to Jesus' (Heb 12:2). 'Beholding the glory of the Lord… with unveiled face' (2 Cor 3:18); 'then face to face' (1 Cor 13:12).
- Scripture
- Heb 12:2, 2 Cor 3:18, 1 Cor 13:12
- Imagery & language
- Contemplation; unveiled glory.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — from faith to sight.
- Connection to previous
- To sight.
Themes
Christ's sacrifice Redemption through blood of Christ Assurance of salvation Joy in Christ Sanctification