Lyrics - Victory in Jesus (Christ Won the Victory)
Chorus
O victory in Jesus
My Savior forever
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory
Beneath the cleansing flood
Verse 1
I heard an old, old story
How a Savior came from glory
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me
I heard about His groaning
Of His precious blood's atoning
Then I repented of my sin,
Christ won the victory.
Verse 2
I heard about His healing
All his miracles revealing
That He alone can save a soul
And set the captive free
I’m happy in His promise
How soon He’s coming for us
And home with Him I’ll sing again
“Christ won the victory!”
Verse 3
I’ll tell the old, old story
Till my Savior comes from glory
I’ll tell of all the Lord has done
To set this sinner free
That all who will believe him
By Faith can still receive him
And share in that redemption song
“Christ won the victory!”
Bible Memory Verse
“…for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”
Deuteronomy 20:4 (ESV)
Story Behind the Song
Eugene Monroe Bartlett was born Christmas Eve 1885 in Missouri and grew up in Arkansas. He became a musician and a shape note music publisher. He founded the Hartford Music Company and Hartford Music Institute and also a gospel music magazine called ‘A Herald of Song’.
He wrote many gospel and country songs. His most famous one is ‘Victory in Jesus’. This was written during a very dark time for him. In 1939, when he was 53, he had a paralyzing stroke and couldn’t walk or talk. As he thought of Christ’s love for him over his whole life, he wrote this song of redemption and victory in Christ, the healer of body and soul. He filled the lyric with hope and joy.
He died just a couple of years after writing this hymn. The first time it was heard many people came to know the Lord. From that time on, which was also the beginning of the Second World War, it has been sung by millions all over the world.
The family who own the publishing of this song visited Keith and I one day and asked if we would like to refresh and re-focus the lyric for families and churches today. We were very honored to do this and our friend Matt Boswell helped. We launched this new version at the Sing Conference in 2024 in Nashville.
Something to Think About
May 8th 1945 is known as VE Day, Victory in Europe day. There were celebrations around the world because the Second World War had ended and a great victory had been won. People ran into the streets shouting and singing and crying, waving flags.
The hymn ‘Victory in Jesus’, written at the beginning of this war, describes an even greater victory. The greatest. Why is it the greatest? It is the victory that ends the biggest, deepest battle we face - the sin in every human heart. This sin breaks our relationship with God and our relationships with each other. Sin is what brings wars into the world.
From the beginning in Genesis 3 we read how sin first comes into the world. We read then of the first shame and blame between Adam and Eve, the murder of Abel by his brother Cain, and on and on the lines of battle go through all of time. But God promised a Savior who would bring victory over sin and death through his death and resurrection. He alone would bring the greatest victory to end all wars.
We can know that healing and restoring in our hearts when we turn to Him as our Savior. With His new life within us He guides us into paths of peace. And one day we will see every war end when he returns, the great Victor bringing justice and peace forever to the earth.
So whatever we face we can always sing with fullest joy ‘Oh Victory in Jesus, my Savior forever’.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you that you lead us in victory in Christ. May this give us hope in a dark world. May this help us walk in peace. May this be the celebration cry of our whole lives,
In Jesus name
Amen
Missed a Previous Family Hymn of the Month?
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December 2024
Jesus, Joy of the Highest Heaven -
November 2024
Christus Victor (Amen) -
October 2024
There Is a Hoppe -
September 2024
I Set My Hope on Jesus -
August 2024
Come Unto Jesus -
June 2024
Everything & Listen to the Word of the Lord -
May 2024
Jesus Calms the Storm -
April 2024
Is He Worthy? -
March 2024
The Lord Almighty Reigns -
February 2024
O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go -
January 2024
O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing -
December 2023
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence -
November 2023
Softly and Tenderly -
October 2023
Abide With Me -
September 2023
All Creatures of Our God and King -
August 2023
Our God Will Go Before Us -
June 2023
Facing a Task Unfinished -
May 2023
His Mercy Is More -
April 2023
Jesus Paid It All -
March 2023
I Am Not My Own -
February 2023
Precious Lord, Take My Hand -
January 2023
How Can I Keep from Singing? -
December 2022
Silent Night -
November 2022
All People That On Earth Do Dwell -
October 2022
The Lord Almighty Reigns -
September 2022
How Great Thou Art -
August 2022
On Jordan's Stormy Banks -
June 2022
This Is My Father's World -
May 2022
Pass the Promise -
April 2022
In Christ Alone -
March 2022
Be Thou My Vision -
February 2022
He Will Hold Me Fast -
January 2022
Great is Thy Faithfulness -
December 2021
Sing We the Song of Emmanuel -
November 2021
My Heart is Filled With Thankfulness -
October 2021
And Can It Be -
September 2021
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God -
August 2021
Revive Us Again -
June 2021
Jesus Shall Reign -
May 2021
It is Well -
April 2021
Amazing Grace -
March 2021
Christ the Lord has Risen Today -
February 2021
For The Beauty Of The Earth