Hymns
History, background, and other useful information to help us worship with understanding.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)
Note: The number after the hymn title indicates the page number in the Trinity Hymnal
Contents
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus (#307)
Our hymn this week, “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus,” was written by Robert Lowry in 1876 (both lyrics and music). Lowry was a Baptist pastor with a background in music, who was born and raised in Philadelphia and educated at Bucknell University. He was the son of an Irish immigrant and had a conversion experience at the age of 17. After he became a pastor, Lowry was an active participant in the tent revivals of late 1800s. Fellow hymn-writer Fanny Crosby was also involved in these tent meetings. Both of them spent a considerable amount of time participating in the tent meetings of Ocean Grove, New Jersey and were likely acquainted.
“Nothing But the Blood of Jesus” is considered by hymnary.org to be a communion hymn. It is appropriate to meditate on Jesus’s blood and what graces have been given us through it, and singing hymns like this is an effective way for such meditation. The first line asks the question that gives us the title of the hymn as well as the refrain: What can wash me white as snow? The line continues with another question: what can make me whole again? The answer is the same!
The progression of the following four verses parallels the progression of the life of a Christian. We are cleansed. We realize that we can do nothing to atone for our sin. The cleansing and atonement is our only hope and peace. And finally, we will be overcomers in this life and reach our heavenly home!
As we take communion this week, let’s focus on all that Christ has done for us through His precious blood.
Amen!
Written by Diane J.
Enjoy the lyrics in full: https://hymnary.org/hymn/TH1990/307
Seek Ye First
Sometimes less is more.
I love the complexity and beauty of the hymns, both lyric and melody. Wesley, Watts, Davis, Robinson, Toplady, Cowper, and Crosby: the rhyme, the similes, the meter, and melody—the hymns in the hymnal are magnificent works of art!
And sometimes less is more. I have chosen to write about “Seek Ye First” this week. The lyric is the words of Jesus, spoken at the Sermon on the Mount. No embellishments. The melody is simple and pure, written for guitar. The refrain is praise: alleluia. For many, and I include myself, this song reminds us of being teenagers, of being new believers. It’s someone’s crowded living room. It’s sitting around a campfire—and worshiping with new friends.
The song was written in 1971 by Karen Lafferty, a new believer herself, out in California at Calvary Chapel, the epicenter of the “The Jesus Movement.” One evening she attended a Bible study on Matthew 6:33, and after she left, she went home with her guitar and put a melody to Jesus’s words. The song spread across the country like wildfire, and soon it was being sung at youth groups, Youth for Christ meetings, and church services. Now it is included in many hymnals. Sometime before 1974, two other verses were added, not by Lafferty, but anonymously. They are also the words of Jesus, found in Matthew 7:7 and Matthew 4:4.
Just as with “Lion of Judah,” “Seek Ye First” brings to mind memories of being a young Christian at the dawn of the revival known as The Jesus Movement. But even if you are a younger person or a new believer, singing the words of Jesus is invaluable. We are not to worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear. No matter our need, Jesus tells us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be added to us. He is our provision!
Amen!
Written by Diane J.
If you are interested in the time period in which this song was written, check out the film The Jesus Revolution. You can also read about the Christian music of that era in God’s Forever Family, written by Larry Eskridge.