Scripture Verse

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7

Introduction

portrait
William G. Fischer
1835–1912

Words: James L. Ni­chol­son, in Joy­ful Songs No. 4 (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: Me­tho­dist Epis­co­pal Book Room, 1872).

Music: Will­iam G. Fis­cher (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Ni­chol­son (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Introduction

In the spring of 1893, re­lates the Rev. Mr. Brad­ley, a Me­tho­dist min­is­ter in Utah, a la­dy who had come from Ire­land as a Mor­mon im­mi­grant sev­er­al years be­fore was brought un­der ve­ry pun­gent con­vic­tion of sin, which last­ed for sev­er­al days. She at­tend­ed our ser­vic­es sev­er­al times, but seemed to get no re­lief.

On the fo­llow­ing Mon­day morn­ing, while she was about her work as us­u­al, the bur­den had be­come al­most un­bear­a­ble. As she worked she be­gan to sing, Lord Je­sus, I long to be per­fect­ly whole; and when she came to the clos­ing words, To those who sought Thee, Thou ne­ver saidst No, a feel­ing came ov­er her like a flash, she says, that He would not say No to her.

From that mo­ment the bur­den was lift­ed and she was filled with joy.

Sankey, p. 306

Lyrics

Lord Jesus, I long
To be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever
To live in my soul.
Break down every idol,
Cast out every foe;
Now wash me, and I
Shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Whiter than snow,
Yes, whiter than snow.
Now wash me, and I
Shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, let nothing
Unholy remain,
Apply Thine own blood
And extract every stain;
To get this blest cleansing,
I all things forego—
Now wash me, and I
Shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Lord Jesus, look down
From Thy throne in the skies,
And help me to make
A complete sacrifice.
I give up myself,
And whatever I know,
Now wash me, and I
Shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Lord Jesus, for this
I most humbly entreat,
I wait, blessèd Lord,
At Thy crucified feet.
By faith, for my cleansing,
I see Thy blood flow,
Now wash me, and I
Shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Lord Jesus, Thou seest
I patiently wait,
Come now, and within me
A new heart create;
To those who have sought Thee,
Thou never saidst No,
Now wash me, and I
Shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

The blessing by faith,
I receive from above;
O glory! my soul
Is made perfect in love;
My prayer has prevailed,
And this moment I know,
The blood is applied,
I am whiter than snow.

Refrain