The times sure are a changing.  Once upon a time hymns used to be frowned upon as antiquated, archaic and irrelevant.   And the most successful acts in contemporary worship music would avoid these ancient chestnuts as if they were plagues.  However, such tides of scorn have ebbed in recent years.  Many contemporary Christian artists who have fronted the genre such as Chris Tomlin, Darlene Zschech, Steven Curtis Chapman and Kari Jobe have resurrected these ancient tunes often revamping them for today's ears.  Hillsong Live, as usual, has been one of the pioneers of such a movement.  Over the years, they have tackled hymns such as "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus," "It is Well with My Soul" and "Cornerstone" (which updates the hymn "My Hope is Built").  Now, they are back with "Man of Sorrows."

"Man of Sorrows" is a new song penned by Brooke Ligertwood (or Fraser) and Matt Crocker.  Though it is a fresh composition, it has utilized the melodic and lyrical structures of a hymn.  While it was once a taboo to use Elizabethan English like "thees" and "thous," "Man of Sorrows" unashamedly harkens back to such language use again.  Sticking to the verse-chorus-verse structure of the ancient hymns, this song has a more rigid structure than other Hillsong songs.  Further, "Man of Sorrows" eschews the lyrically trite often associated with modern worship songs.  Rather, this is a rich exposition of Isaiah 53 and how this ancient prophecy finds its fulfillment in Christ. 

Performed by Jad Gilles with Annie Garrett joining in towards the latter part of the song, "Man of Sorrows" has a stately sober delivery most appropriate for the song's subject.  And the Irish sounding backings and the militant marching drum line further enhances Christ's ignominious walk to the Cross.  Brilliantly creative in its production, lyrically powerful in conveying the heart of the Christian message and exquisitely performed, "Man of Sorrows" will definitely be a great congregational favorite in the months to come.