New Arrangement: At the Cross

from Hymncharts arranger Don Chapman:

I’m excited to share my brand new, modern arrangement of the classic hymn “At the Cross”! This one starts out quietly, builds to a powerful climax, then ends with a whisper. It captures that ambient, reverent feel at the beginning, then takes your congregation on a musical journey that mirrors the powerful story of Christ’s sacrifice.

How to Use At the Cross in Your Worship Service

This arrangement is perfect as the final song in your Easter or communion worship set. It also works beautifully to close your service – that quiet ending leaves space for reflection and response.

Try using At the Cross in your worship set with these popular songs:

• “O Praise the Name (Anástasis)” – Both songs focus on the cross and resurrection, making them natural companions. The themes of death, burial and resurrection flow seamlessly between these two powerful worship pieces.
• “Living Hope” – Phil Wickham’s anthem picks up the same redemptive thread as “At the Cross” – our desperate need and Christ’s sufficient sacrifice. The line “hallelujah, praise the One who set me free” perfectly echoes the joy found in “At the Cross.”
• “The Wonderful Cross” – This modern take on “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” pairs naturally with “At the Cross” – both reflect on our response to Christ’s sacrifice.
• “Worthy Is the Lamb” – Move from reflecting on the cross to celebrating the risen Lamb who is worthy of all praise.

The Timeless Message of At the Cross

The genius of this hymn lies in its powerful progression – from the sobering reality of Christ’s sacrifice to the personal transformation of the believer. The verses I’ve used in this arrangement move us through a spiritual journey.

We begin with the questioning wonder of a believer confronting the reality of the cross – did my Savior really bleed for me? The lyrics then dive deeper into contemplating why the perfect Son would suffer for our wrongdoing, highlighting the “amazing pity” and “love beyond degree” displayed at Calvary.

What makes this hymn so enduring is how it doesn’t stop at theological truth but moves to personal response. The verses acknowledge that we can never repay such a debt of love, concluding that our only reasonable response is complete surrender.

Then comes that memorable chorus, which I save for after the second verse! The transformation is dramatic – from the weight of sin to the joy of salvation. That moment at the cross where darkness turns to light and burdens roll away still resonates with worshippers today.

In our modern world of distractions and shallow solutions, this hymn cuts straight to our deepest need and God’s perfect answer. When your congregation sings about receiving spiritual sight “by faith” and the resulting joy, they’re declaring timeless truth that’s as relevant now as when Isaac Watts penned these words back in 1707.

Bottom Line: This arrangement creates space for both celebration and contemplation – just what we need when we gather at the cross.

Download At the Cross

Get this arrangement of At the Cross only at Hymncharts.com and Worshiphymns.com – you won’t find this fresh take anywhere else! As the arranger, I’m offering this new version exclusively on my sites.