The hymn’s lyrics express wonder at God’s grace and the mystery of Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Below are the complete lyrics, as commonly sung:
Verse 1
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Verse 2
’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
Verse 3
He left His Father’s throne above—
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me!
Verse 4
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
Verse 5
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
These lyrics capture the journey from sin to salvation, inspiring worshippers to marvel at God’s amazing love.
Line by Line Meaning of And Can It Be
“And can it be that I should gain / An interest in the Savior’s blood?”
“Can it really be true—that Jesus died for me? That I am included in His sacrifice?”
Yes—and that’s the amazing love the rest of the hymn celebrates.
“Died He for me, who caused His pain? / For me, who Him to death pursued?
It was my sin that caused His pain. Yet, unbelievably, He died for me.
These lines reflect the astonishing grace that lies at the heart of the gospel:
God loves us at our worst—and gave Himself to save us.
“Amazing love! How can it be / That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?”
God’s love is so great, so mysterious, that He willingly died in my place. It’s more than I can comprehend—but it’s the truth that sets me free.
This line is a personal response of worship, humility, and joy to the gospel message.
“Amazing love! How can it be / That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?”
This is the heart of the gospel in one line:
The eternal God humbled Himself to die for undeserving sinners—not because we earned it, but because His love is that amazing.
“’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies: / Who can explore His strange design?”
Wesley gazes at the cross and exclaims:
“How could the eternal God die? And how could such a loving, sacrificial plan ever be fully understood?”
It’s not meant to be figured out like a puzzle—but received in faith, with awe and worship.
“In vain the firstborn seraph tries / To sound the depths of love divine.”
The depth of God’s love—seen most clearly in Jesus’ sacrifice—is so great that even the highest angel cannot measure it.
It’s a divine mystery that invites not calculation, but worship.
“’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, / Let angel minds inquire no more.”
It’s all mercy—from beginning to end.
Don’t try to figure it all out. Just adore Him. Worship Him. Trust Him.
Even the angels must pause and bow in wonder.
“’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, / Let angel minds inquire no more.”
Mercy beyond logic. Grace beyond deserving. Love beyond measure.
All we can do is worship—alongside angels—and say,
“It’s all mercy. Let the whole earth adore Him.”
“He left His Father’s throne above— / So free, so infinite His grace—”
Jesus left heaven for you.
Not because He had to, but because His love is that free, and that infinite.
He didn’t come in anger. He came in grace—unearned, overflowing, and divine.
“Emptied Himself of all but love, / And bled for Adam’s helpless race:”
Jesus gave up everything but His love…
And with that love, He bled and died to rescue helpless humanity—me and you.
That’s not just good news. It’s the greatest love ever shown.
“’Tis mercy all, immense and free, / For, O my God, it found out me!”
The mercy of God is so big, so free, and so good—
And the most amazing part? It found me. It reached my heart.
That’s what grace does: it pursues, it saves, and it transforms.
“Long my imprisoned spirit lay, / Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;”
Before grace found me, I was a prisoner—
Chained in sin, lost in the darkness of my nature.
But the story doesn’t end here… the light is coming.
“Thine eye diffused a quickening ray— / I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;”
In the moment of grace, God looked at me—and with just one ray of His life-giving love,
He woke me up, and my prison of sin turned into a room filled with His light.
It’s the moment the gospel became personal and real.
“My chains fell off, my heart was free, / I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.”
This is the moment every Christian remembers:
The chains of sin broke, the heart was set free, and life began anew—
Walking with the Savior, no longer a prisoner, but a follower of grace.
“No condemnation now I dread; / Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;”
Once I feared punishment, guilt, and rejection.
But now I know—I am fully accepted, fully loved, and fully united with Jesus.
I don’t just believe in Him—He is mine, and I am His.
“Alive in Him, my living Head, / And clothed in righteousness divine,”
I’m not just forgiven—I’m alive, and I wear the righteousness of Christ Himself.
He is my living Savior, and in Him, I’m made completely right with God.
“Bold I approach th’eternal throne, / And claim the crown, through Christ my own.”
Because of Christ, I’m no longer condemned—I am welcomed, crowned, and eternally secure.
I stand boldly before God’s throne, not in fear, but as a redeemed child, ready to receive all He has promised.
Author: Charles Wesley (1707–1788)
- Who he was:
Charles Wesley was an English Anglican priest, hymn writer, and a founder of the Methodist movement alongside his brother John Wesley. He penned over 6,500 hymns, many of which remain central to Christian worship today - Writing context & date:
Written in 1738, shortly after his profound conversion experience on May 21, 1738, Charles expressed deep personal joy and wonder. He captured this in hymns like “And Can It Be” and “Where Shall My Wondering Soul Begin?” - Publication & subtitle:
It was first published in 1738 in John Wesley’s Psalms and Hymns, later labeled “Free Grace” in the 1739 collection Hymns and Sacred Poems - Theme & significance:
The hymn’s focus on personal salvation through Christ’s sacrifice and its refrain—“Amazing love! How can it be / That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?”—make it a powerful declaration of saving grace. It’s one of the most cherished hymns of the Methodist tradition
✅ Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Born–Died | 18 Dec 1707 – 29 Mar 1788 |
| Profession | Anglican priest, hymn writer |
| Conversion | 21 May 1738; inspired “And Can It Be” |
| Year Written | 1738 |
| First Published | 1738 in Psalms and Hymns; 1739 in Hymns and Sacred Poems |
| Subtitle | “Free Grace” |
| Key Hymns | “And Can It Be,” “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” |
The Spiritual Significance of the Hymn
Rooted in Romans 8:1 and Philippians 2:5–8, “And Can It Be” explores the mystery of Christ’s incarnation, atonement, and the believer’s liberation from sin. Its vivid imagery—such as chains falling off and dungeons flaming with light—illustrates the transformative power of grace. The refrain, “Amazing love! How can it be,” encapsulates the hymn’s theme of awe at God’s unmerited favor, making it a profound expression of personal salvation.
This hymn is ideal for worship services focusing on redemption, Easter, or personal renewal, as it invites believers to reflect on their own salvation story and respond with gratitude and praise.
Ways to Incorporate This Hymn in Worship
- Church Services: Sing the hymn during Easter, communion, or services focused on salvation and grace.
- Personal Devotion: Meditate on the lyrics to reflect on God’s love and your redemption story.
- Modern Arrangements: Adapt the hymn for worship bands with guitar or piano for contemporary settings.
- Teaching Tool: Use the hymn in Bible studies to explore themes of atonement and grace.
More Hymn: And Can It Be, That I Should Gain? – Hymnary.org
FAQs: “And Can It Be That I Should Gain”
Charles Wesley, co-founder of Methodism, wrote the hymn in 1738 shortly after his conversion to Christianity.
The hymn celebrates the wonder of salvation, emphasizing God’s amazing love, mercy, and the believer’s freedom from sin and condemnation through Jesus Christ.
Key inspirations include Romans 8:1, Philippians 2:6–8, John 8:36, and Ephesians 2:4–5.
It symbolizes spiritual liberation—freedom from sin, guilt, and fear—when the believer is awakened by God’s grace.
Its deep theology, personal testimony, and powerful expressions of grace and assurance make it a favorite in churches across denominations.
Read More: Alas and Did My Savior Bleed Lyrics
