His Robes For Mine (Hymn)

His Robes for Mine is a powerful Christian worship song that highlights the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, emphasizing Christ’s righteousness, sacrifice, and redemption. Through profound lyrics, it proclaims the exchange of sin for righteousness, the satisfaction of God’s justice, and the believer’s secure salvation in Christ.

VERSE 1
His robes for mine:
O wonderful exchange!
Clothed in my sin,
Christ suffered ‘neath God’s rage.
Draped in His righteousness,
I’m justified! In Christ I live,
For in my place He died.

VERSE 2
His robes for mine:
What cause have I for dread?
God’s daunting law
Christ mastered in my stead.
Faultless I stand
With righteous works not mine,
Saved by my Lord’s
Vicarious death and life.

CHORUS
I cling to Christ,
And marvel at the cost:
Jesus forsaken,
God estranged from God.
Bought by such love,
My life is not my own.
My praise, my all,
Shall be for Christ alone.

VERSE 3
His robes for mine:
God’s justice is appeased.
Jesus is crushed,
And thus the Father’s pleased.
Christ drank God’s wrath
On sin, then cried “‘Tis done!”
Sin’s wage is paid;
Propitiation won!

CHORUS
I cling to Christ,
And marvel at the cost:
Jesus forsaken,
God estranged from God.
Bought by such love,
My life is not my own.
My praise, my all,
Shall be for Christ alone.

VERSE 4
His robes for mine:
Such anguish none can know.
Christ, God’s beloved,
Condemned as though His foe.
He, as though I,
Accursed and left alone;
I, as though He,
Embraced and welcomed home!

Story Behind the Song

His Robes for Mine is a hymn that delves into the profound Christian doctrine of substitutionary atonement, illustrating the exchange of humanity’s sinfulness with Christ’s righteousness.

The lyrics were penned by Chris Anderson, a pastor who, at the time, was ministering in Ohio. The music was composed by Greg Habegger, another pastor serving in Indiana.[1]

Chris Anderson, the founding pastor of Tri-County Bible Church in Madison, Ohio, wrote the hymn to emphasize key doctrines such as justification by grace through faith and the concept of double imputation—the exchange of our sins for Christ’s righteousness at conversion.[2]

The hymn’s four verses each focus on major themes within the doctrine of justification. Verse 1 addresses “The Great Exchange,” where Jesus Christ was made sin for humanity to declare believers righteous in Him. Verse 2 highlights Christ’s active obedience, mastering God’s Law on behalf of sinners. Verse 3 discusses the satisfaction of God’s justice through Christ’s sacrifice, and Verse 4 reflects on the believer’s response to this profound gift.[3]

Since its introduction, His Robes for Mine has been embraced by congregations for its rich theological content and singable melody. The hymn continues to be a meaningful part of worship services, prompting believers to reflect deeply on the sacrificial love of Christ and the transformative power of His righteousness.