Back in the Stuart Townend catalogue this week. Co-written with Andrew Small Loved Before The Dawn Of Time (Salvation’s Song) is another track from Townend’s There Is A Hope album. We sang it for the first time tonight at mgpc. I was able to purchase a midi file for our musical accompaniment from Worship Trax.
A meaningful lyric set that doesn’t say anything that any Christian can’t affirm. Positive, yet not triumphalistic, because the ground for optimism in found in God’s work and faithfulness. In particular the line: ‘All the blessings He deserved poured on my unworthy soul’ expresses well the idea that every blessing which we receive is one that Christ has won for us. Christians waste a lot of time trying to earn, or feeling unworthy of, blessings which God freely makes available because of what Jesus has done.
The structure is irregular (verse, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge/chorus, verse) but musically is easy to pick up. (Key of ‘B’ not my favourite to sing)
Here’s the lyric (sheet music can be purchased online here):
Verse 1
Loved before the dawn of time,
Chosen by my Maker,
Hidden in my Saviour:
I am His and He is mine,
Cherished for eternity.
Verse 2
When I’m stained with guilt and sin,
He is there to lift me,
Heal me and forgive me;
Gives me strength to stand again,
Stronger than I was before.
Chorus
So with every breath that I am given
I will sing salvation’s song;
And I’ll join the chorus of creation
Giving praise to Christ alone.
Verse 3
All the claims of Satan’s curse
Lifted through His offering,
Satisfied through suffering;
All the blessings He deserves
Poured on my unworthy soul.
Chorus
So with every breath that I am given
I will sing salvation’s song;
And I’ll join the chorus of creation
Giving praise to Christ alone.
Bridge and chorus
Singing glory, honour, wisdom, power
To the Lamb upon; the throne.
Hallelujah, I will lift Him high.
Singing glory, honour, wisdom, power
To the Lamb upon the throne.
Hallelujah I will sing with every breath that I am given
I will sing salvation’s song;
And I’ll join the chorus of creation
Giving praise to Christ alone.
Verse 4
Stars will fade and mountains fall;
Christ will shine forever,
Love’s unfading splendour.
Earth and heaven will bow in awe,
Joining in salvation’s song.
Stuart Townend & Andrew Small
Copyright © 2007 Thankyou Music
The YouTube video is of the live performance which is recorded on the album.
mgpcpastor's blog 
It is a beautiful song, and as you say: easy to pick up and positive, encouraging.
Because He is our Saviour, it is good to give praise to Christ through such a song.
Yes ~
I continue to appreciate songs that develop biblical truth throughout the progression of the song.
(In contrast to songs that have one verse/thought that keeps being repeated or songs that have a number of different thoughts strung together by their melody or a chorus/refrain.)
Particularly in corporate gatherings where the idea of God’s people being able to affirm truth in common is so important.
A well inspired song given to enrich our spirits and stir us up to love our savior who first loved us and share d His love abroard his love to the Nations
What a song! And what a savior
I love this song and the focus on Christ
I’m having trouble finding the sheet music for Loved before the Dawn of time – Salvation’s song. Where can I find it?
If you search around it’s available at various online retailers, and song select.