William Cowper (1731 - 1800) studied to become an attorney but he never actually practiced law. He struggled from manic depression and often felt that he was doomed to eternal damnation and hell. He made several attempts at drinking poison only to have spasms in his hand which prevented him from doing so. He then tried to hang himself with a strong garter. He passed out and then the garter broke while he was still suspended. He struggled with knowing that God could forgive him for this attempt. After having significant difficulties battling depression, he had a mental breakdown and was sent to a mental hospital. There Cowper found a Bible on a bench. He opened it and read it. He turned to the account of Lazarus being raised from the dead, which he said showed him the mercy of the Savior. He also turned to Romans 3:25 where he read, “Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness.” It was upon reading this verse that Cowper said he was immediately converted. Cowper was able to regain his mental health, and he left the hospital. He ended up in the town of Olney where John Newton was a pastor. Newton recognized Cowper’s gift as a poet, and he encouraged him to write hymns. And that Cowper did. He wrote sixty-eight hymns in a fairly short period of time. Today's hymn was the first hymn he wrote after his recovery. It is evident that the Lord worked in him and gave him the assurance of forgiveness. There are many interesting stories told about the impact of this great hymn. One has to do with a large religious service conducted at the Golden Gate Exposition in San Francisco. The gifted speaker began to direct most of his eloquence against the power of the blood of Christ. When he was done, an elderly lady stood up in the midst of the crowd and softly began to sing this hymn as a touching rebuttal to the speaker's remarks. A hush fell over the audience as they listened. But before she could begin the second verse, about one hundred people rose to join her. By the time they reached the third verse, nearly a thousand were singing along. The triumphant, thrilling strains rang out - "Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power, 'til all the ransomed church of God be saved to sin no more." The message, written by one cured by the Lord from deep depression, still rings out today in the hearts of those who've experienced the power of the blood of Christ. Have you experienced this power and transformation?
(1) There is a fountain filled with blood
drawn from Emmanuel's veins;
and sinners plunged beneath that flood
lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains,
lose all their guilty stains;
and sinners plunged beneath that flood
lose all their guilty stains.
(2) The dying thief rejoiced to see
that fountain in his day;
and there may I, though vile as he,
wash all my sins away.
Wash all my sins away,
wash all my sins away;
and there may I, though vile as he,
wash all my sins away.
(3) Dear dying Lamb, thy precious blood
shall never lose its power
till all the ransomed church of God
be saved, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more,
be saved, to sin no more;
till all the ransomed church of God
be saved, to sin no more.
(4) E'er since, by faith, I saw the stream
thy flowing wounds supply,
redeeming love has been my theme,
and shall be till I die.
And shall be till I die,
and shall be till I die;
redeeming love has been my theme,
and shall be till I die.
(5) Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
I'll sing thy power to save,
when this poor lisping, stammering tongue
lies silent in the grave.
Lies silent in the grave,
lies silent in the grave;
when this poor lisping, stammering tongue
lies silent in the grave.
Listen to it here. LISTEN
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