At last night’s Good Friday service, a soloist sang, “Ten Thousand Angels”, and memories flooded back.

They bound the hands of Jesus
In the garden where He prayed
They led Him through the streets in shame
They spat upon the Saviour
So pure and free from sin
They said, “Crucify Him He’s to blame”

He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free
He could have called ten thousand angels
But He died alone for you and me

The author under represented the number of angels at Jesus’ command. Jesus said that he could have appealed to his Father who would have immediately sent him more than twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53). While the size of Roman legions varied,  6,000 men is a pretty good estimate of troop strength during Jesus’ time, so Jesus could have been rescued by more than 72,000 angels. The band of soldiers who arrested Jesus would have been no match for one angel. What kind of strength and power would 72,000 of the heavenly beings wield?

Upon His precious head
They placed a crown of thorns
They laughed and said, “Behold the King”
They struck Him and they cursed Him
And mocked His holy name
All alone He suffered everything

Remembering all the words, I silently joined the soloist. Many times during Lent and Holy Week, Mom, Dad, Sherry, and I sang it as a quartet. Somehow four high-voiced people worked it out. Dad had a strong tenor voice, Mom had a beautiful soprano voice, but she sang alto and yielded the melody line to Sherry. Before Sherry, we sang it as a trio back when I thought I was a bass, so I sang that part which included a bass solo for the third verse. In my memory banks, I still hear us practicing around the piano at home and see us singing in several churches.

When they nailed Him to the cross
His mother stood nearby
He said “Woman, behold thy son”
He cried, “I thirst for water”
But they gave Him none to drink
Then the sinful work of man was done

I first heard the song at the Belle Center church, when the choir sang it. Lorenz published it in their monthly “Volunteer Choir”. Bob Duff sang the solo. When I got to High School, we were allowed to join the adult choir, and I took a place near him with the rest of the basses. I still try to imagine I have a low enough voice to sing that verse.

To the howling mob he yielded
He did not for mercy cry
The cross of shame He took alone
And when He cried, “It’s finished”
He gave Himself to die
Salvation’s wondrous plan was done

According to his testimony, when Ray Overholt wrote the song in 1958, he was playing in a country band on the night club circuit. Drinking heavily, he describes himself as a profane person. One night at a tavern in Battle Creek, Michigan, he was compelled to write even as he wondered in amazement that the Lord had given him the song. He sold the rights to Lillinas Publishing House. Sometime later, he sang the song in at a small country church. Following his solo, the preacher’s message gripped his heart, and he invited Jesus Christ into his heart. What an amazing story! The writer of “Ten Thousand Angels” was led to the Lord by his own song!

He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free
He could have called ten thousand angels
But He died alone for you and me

On the holiest of Christian holy days, it was good to hear this song and savior the precious memories it evoked. It was good to be reminded of the vile nature of sin–of my sin, and the great lengths to which Jesus went to save me–to save us.

[Words and music: Ray Overhalt © 1959 by Lillenas Publishing Co.]