Today’s hymn is another one by Fanny Crosby, published in 1875, distributed in the revival meetings led by Moody and Sankey. The melody by American William H. Doane may sound dated now (and is the main reason many churches no longer sing hymns in general), but the devotion of the text is moving. And hearing a choir like the one above singing a classic hymn like this stirs the soul.

“My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27 NRSV).

1 I am thine, O Lord, I have heard thy voice,
And it told thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to thee.

Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To thy precious, bleeding side.

2 Consecrate me now to thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in thine. [Refrain]

3 O the pure delight of a single hour
That before thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend! [Refrain]

4 There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with thee. [Refrain]

Fanny Crosby (1820-1915), a great Methodist hymn composer, gave us today’s song in 1882. She wrote poems before her conversion in 1950 and afterward about 8,000 hymns, many of which have not been set to music.

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
. . .
The LORD redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.”
(Psalm 34:18,22 ESV)

1 Redeemed how I love to proclaim it,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through his infinite mercy
His child and forever I am.

Refrain:
Redeemed, redeeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.

2 Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell,
I know that the light of his presence
With me doth continually dwell.
[Refrain]

3 I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of him all the day long,
I sing, for I cannot be silent,
His love is the theme of my song.
[Refrain]

4 I know I shall see in his beauty
The King in whose law I delight,
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth me songs in the night.
[Refrain]

5 I know there’s a crown that is waiting
In yonder bright mansion for me,
And soon, with the spirits made perfect,
At home with the Lord I shall be.
[Refrain]

As we approach Easter next month, let’s join together in singing Franny Crosby revival-style hymn, “Though Your Sins Be as Scarlet.” Crosby (1820-1915) was born in Putnam County, New York, and lost her sight at age six. “It is as a writer of Sunday-school songs and gospel hymns that she is known wherever the English language is spoken, and, in fact, wherever any other language is heard.” The tune was written by Connecticut industrialist William H. Doane.

1 Though your sins be as scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though your sins be as scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they be red like crimson,
They shall be as wool;
Though your sins be as scarlet,
Though your sins be as scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow,
They shall be as white as snow.

2 Hear the voice that entreats you,
O return ye unto God!
Hear the voice that entreats you,
O return ye unto God!
He is of great compassion,
And of wondrous love;
Hear the voice that entreats you,
Hear the voice that entreats you,
O return ye unto God!
O return ye unto God!

3 He’ll forgive your transgressions,
And remember them no more;
He’ll forgive your transgressions,
And remember them no more;
“Look unto Me, ye people,”
Saith the Lord your God;
He’ll forgive your transgressions,
He’ll forgive your transgressions,
And remember them no more,
And remember them no more.