There is a fountain filled with blood

William Cowper
(1731 - 1800)

Together with John Newton, Cowper produced what has become known as the 'Olney hymns'. Cowper himself suffered from depression and Newton saved him from suicide on several occasions. Cowper followed a literay path producing many poems as well as hymns. His writings included translations of the works of Madame Guyon. This famous hymn is produced here in its original complete form; it is based on Zech.13:1

c.m.

1

There is a fountain fill'd with blood
Drawn from Emmanuel's veins;
And sinners, plunged beneath the flood,
Lose all their guilty stains

2.

The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there have I, as vile as he,
Wash'd all my sins away.

3.

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power,
Till all the ransom'd 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.

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.

6.

Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared
(Unworthy though I be)
For me a blood- bought free reward,
A golden harp for me!

7.

'Tis strung and tuned, for endless years,
And formed by power divine,
To sound in God the Father's ears
No other name but Thine.

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