The story behind the hymn
Charles Wesley was converted on 21 May 1738 — three days before his brother John's famous Aldersgate experience. And Can It Be pours out of that week, and it still trembles with fresh astonishment: the whole hymn is one long, incredulous question — how can it be that the God who made me should die for me?
The fourth stanza is spiritual autobiography set to Scripture: 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. It is Peter's prison-escape in Acts 12 read as the story of the soul: my chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
Wesley would write over six thousand hymns, but few match this one's mix of doctrine and delight. Its closing boast is the believer's whole confidence: no condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine — bold I approach the eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
The lyrics
And can it be that I should gainAn interest in the Saviour's blood?Died He for me, who caused His pain?For me, who Him to death pursued?Amazing love! how can it beThat Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
'Tis mystery all: the Immortal dies!Who can explore His strange design?In vain the firstborn seraph triesTo sound the depths of love divine.'Tis mercy all! let earth adore,Let angel minds inquire no more.
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.
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 the eternal throne,And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Public domain. Free to sing, copy, print, and share.
The Scripture behind it
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
No condemnation — the fourth stanza's triumph, straight from Paul.
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
His chains fell off — Peter's deliverance, which the third stanza makes the soul's.