Nothing but the Blood
Words: Robert Lowry (b. March 12, 1826; d. Nov. 25, 1899)
Music: Robert Lowry
Note: The Cyber Hymnal gives us all six stanzas of this gospel song. Most hymnals I know of use only (1) to (4), though the others are worth a look too. In 1887, this song by Robert Lowry inspired Richard Slater to write a song for the Salvation Army which begins:
Jesus, see me at Thy feet,
Nothing by Thy blood can save me.
(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)
Nothing but the blood of Jesus–we’re told that eighteen times in Lowry’s song (counting the repeated refrain). As I’ve noted before in this blog, some gospel songs are simple and sometimes repetitious by design. They were taught quickly and remembered easily, and by this means they helped people to recall key Bible truths. And is this truth important enough to impress by repetition? Yes! There is no other way to be saved.
(3) Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Cleansing and forgiveness by the shed blood of an innocent sacrifice was typified in the Old Testament offerings, and these all foreshadowed the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul” (Lev. 17:11).’“Without shedding of blood there is no remission [no forgiveness of sins]” (Heb. 9:22).
“In Him [Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7). “Having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Col. 1:20). “Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Rev. 1:5).
(1) What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Numerous blessings are listed by Pastor Lowry that come to us through faith in the shed blood of the Saviour. In (2), there is pardon and cleansing (I Jn. 1:7). In (4) there is hope (Rom. 5:1-2; Tit. 2:13-14), and peace (Col. 1:2), and a righteous standing before God (Rom. 5:9). In CH-5 there is overcoming power (Rev. 12:11), and the assurance of a home in heaven.
(6) Glory! Glory! This I sing–
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring–
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Questions:
- How many hymns can you think of that praise God for the shed blood of Christ, or speak of its value to us? (Are these songs sung by your own church?)
- Though there are many cults and “isms,” it is sometimes said that they all amount to much the same thing when it comes to proposing a means of salvation other than what Scripture teaches. What is meant by this?
Links:
- 12 March 1826 – Robert Lowry Born
- Nothing but the Blood (The Cyber Hymnal)