A Wonderful Savior

A Sermon based on the hymn by Fanny J. Crosby

Introduction

“A Wonderful Savior” is a powerful expression of assurance, comfort, and divine protection penned by the prolific hymnwriter Fanny J. Crosby. The hymn reflects the believer’s unshakable trust in Christ, who is described as our hiding place, our guide, and our eternal joy. Its beautiful language echoes the Psalms, especially the imagery of being sheltered in the “cleft of the rock”—a symbol of security and refuge found in God alone.

This hymn is deeply rooted in the promises of Scripture. It reminds us that in a world full of chaos and uncertainty, Jesus Christ is our anchor, our hope, and our shield. Whether in moments of joy or trial, “He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock.” That imagery, drawn from Exodus 33 and Psalm 91, emphasizes both God’s power and tenderness. Through each stanza, we are led from the valleys of life to the heights of eternal glory. This is not only a song of peace—it is a song of triumph. It assures the Christian that we are safe in God’s care now, and destined for glory with Him forever. As we examine the lyrics, may our faith be strengthened and our hearts lifted to praise “a wonderful Savior is Jesus, my Lord.”

Stanza 1

“A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
A wonderful Savior to me;
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.”

This first stanza opens with a personal declaration of who Jesus is: not only Savior, but my Savior. Like David in Psalm 18:2, we proclaim, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.” The phrase “He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock” recalls Exodus 33:22, where God protects Moses by placing him in the cleft. It’s a picture of divine shelter—security in the midst of life’s storms. The “rivers of pleasure” refer to the abundant blessings and peace that flow from a life hidden in Christ (Psalm 36:8).

Stanza 2

“A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
He taketh my burden away;
He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved,
He giveth me strength as my day.”

This verse celebrates Christ’s daily sustaining power. As Matthew 11:28–30 teaches, Jesus invites the weary to find rest in Him. He takes our burdens—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—and replaces them with peace and strength. The line “I shall not be moved” echoes Psalm 16:8 and Psalm 62:6. Jesus provides not just forgiveness, but stability. “He giveth me strength as my day” reflects Deuteronomy 33:25, which promises, “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.”

Stanza 3

“With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,
And filled with His fullness divine,
I sing in my rapture, oh glory to God,
For such a Redeemer as mine!”

This stanza overflows with thanksgiving. God not only gives grace for trials, He fills our lives with “numberless blessings”—an echo of Psalm 68:19, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits.” The “fullness divine” reflects Colossians 2:9–10, where we are told that in Christ we are made complete. “I sing in my rapture” is the soul’s ecstatic joy—when we truly grasp the greatness of our Redeemer, praise becomes irresistible.

Stanza 4

“When clothed in His brightness, transported I rise
To meet Him in clouds of the sky,
His perfect salvation, His wonderful love,
I’ll shout with the millions on high.”

This final stanza turns our eyes to heaven. The resurrection and second coming of Christ are in view here (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). The redeemed will be clothed in glory, no longer bound by earthly frailty (Philippians 3:20–21). “Transported I rise” reminds us that our hope is not in this world but in the eternal inheritance that awaits (1 Peter 1:3–4). There, in the presence of all the saints, we will forever praise the One who saved us.

Chorus

“He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand.”

The chorus is both a prayer and a proclamation. In a world of spiritual drought, Christ is our shade and refreshment. Psalm 91:1 speaks of dwelling “in the secret place of the Most High,” and being covered by His wings. The phrase “covers me there with His hand” points to both God’s protection and His intimate care. This is a song of security—of being hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3), held by grace, and covered by divine love.

A Wonderful Savior Sermon Outline:

Introduction

Author: Fanny J. Crosby
Themes: security, rest, divine love, and future glory
Central scripture: Exodus 33:22; Psalm 91; Colossians 3:3

Stanza 1 – Christ Our Shelter

Psalm 18:2 – “The LORD is my rock”
Exodus 33:22 – Hidden in the cleft of the rock
Psalm 36:8 – Rivers of God’s pleasure

Stanza 2 – Christ Our Strength and Stability

Matthew 11:28–30 – Jesus gives rest
Psalm 62:6 – “I shall not be moved”
Deuteronomy 33:25 – Strength as your day requires

Stanza 3 – Overflowing Blessings

Psalm 68:19 – Daily loaded with benefits
Colossians 2:9–10 – Fullness in Christ
Psalm 103:2 – Bless the Lord and forget not His benefits

Stanza 4 – Our Glorious Hope

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 – Caught up to meet the Lord
Philippians 3:20–21 – Transformed to His glorious body
1 Peter 1:3–4 – A living hope, incorruptible inheritance

Chorus – Divine Protection and Love

Psalm 91:1 – Shadow of the Almighty
Colossians 3:3 – Hidden with Christ in God
Isaiah 49:2 – “He hath covered me with the shadow of His hand”

Call to Action

Is Christ your hiding place? Are you resting in the cleft of the Rock, or wandering in a dry, thirsty land? Jesus is not only a Savior—He is a wonderful Savior. He offers protection, strength, blessing, and hope. Obey His gospel today. Believe in Him (John 8:24), repent of your sins (Luke 13:3), confess His name (Romans 10:9–10), and be baptized for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38). Let Him hide your soul in His love.

Scripture Reference List

Exodus 33:22 – God places Moses in the cleft of the rock
Psalm 18:2 – The Lord is my rock and fortress
Psalm 36:8 – River of pleasures in God’s presence
Matthew 11:28–30 – Jesus gives rest to the weary
Psalm 62:6 – “I shall not be moved”
Deuteronomy 33:25 – “As thy days, so shall thy strength be”
Psalm 68:19 – Daily loaded with benefits
Colossians 2:9–10 – Fullness in Christ
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 – Resurrection and meeting the Lord in the air
Philippians 3:20–21 – Our lowly bodies transformed
1 Peter 1:3–4 – A living hope and eternal inheritance
Psalm 91:1 – Secret place of the Most High
Colossians 3:3 – Hidden with Christ in God
Isaiah 49:2 – Covered by His hand
John 8:24 – Believe in Jesus
Luke 13:3 – Repentance
Romans 10:9–10 – Confession
Acts 2:38 – Baptism for remission of sins

Song History

Fanny J. Crosby (1820–1915), though blind from infancy, wrote thousands of hymns that emphasized trust, praise, and submission to God. “A Wonderful Savior” (also known by its opening line, “He Hideth My Soul”) continues to be cherished among churches of Christ for its scriptural richness and emotional depth. It’s a song of comfort, anchored in the promises of a faithful Savior.

Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at Granby, MO