Robert Lowry was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 12, 1826. His fondness for music was exhibited from his earliest years. As a child, he entertained himself with different musical instruments that came into his hands.
At the age of 17 he joined the first Baptist Church of Philadelphia, and soon became an active worker in Sunday-school as teacher and chorister. At 22 he gave himself to the work of the ministry, and studied at the University of Leesburg, Pennsylvania. Then at 28 he graduated with the highest honors of his class.
In the same year of his graduation, he entered the work of the ministry. He served as pastor at different cities in West Chester, Pennsylvania, in New York City, in Brooklyn, and in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, as well as becoming a professor at the University with an honorary degree of D. D. It was a very productive time for him— a total of 21 years serving in this capacity.
Then in 1875 he became Pastor Park Avenue Church in Plainfield, New Jersey.
Dr. Lowry was a man gifted with administrative abilities, an excellent preacher, and an avid Bible student, and whether he was on the pulpit or upon a platform, he was a brilliant and gifted speaker. Some of his most striking characteristics was that he was of a pleasing disposition, as well as possessed with a great sense of humor. He was able to engage his audiences by the use vivid descriptions and picturesque imagery.
Many of his hymns have been translated into other languages and while preaching the gospel was his greatest joy and his life’s work, music and hymnology became his most enjoyable recreation.
Dr. Lowry was selected to be editor of a Sunday school book, “Bright Jewels” which was a great success. There were other Sunday school books that he edited as well and all of them becoming extremely popular. When he saw that the obligations of musical editorship were laid up upon him he began to study music more deeply, and sought the best musical textbooks and works of the highest forms in musical composition. He possessed one of the finest musical libraries in the country. It abounded in works on the philosophy and science of musical sound. He also had some musical works in his possession that were over 150 years old!
A reporter once asked him what was his method of composition— “do you write the words to fit the music or the music to fit the words? ” His reply was :
“I have no method. Sometimes the music comes, and the words follow fitted insensibly to the melody. I watch my moods, and when anything good strikes me, whether the words or music, and no matter where I am, at home on the street, I jot it down. Often the margin of a newspaper or the back of an envelope serves as a notebook. My brain is a sort of spinning machine, I think, for there is music running through it all the time. I do not pick out my music or the keys of an instrument. The tunes of nearly all the hymns I have written have been completed on paper before I tried them on the organ. Frequently the words of the hymn and the music have been written at the same time. “
Another time Lowry said of preaching the gospel and writing hymns, “I would rather preach a gospel sermon to an appreciative, receptive congregation than to write a hymn. ” Yet in spite of his preferences, Dr. Lowry’s hymns have gone on and on, translated into many languages, preaching and comforting, thousands of souls, furnishing them expression for their deepest feelings of praise and gratitude to God for his goodness to the children of men. What he had thought of his inmost soul has become a part of the emotions of the whole Christian world.
Reverend Robert Lowry, D. D. died at his residence in Plainfield, New Jersey, November 25, 1899. However he still lives in his sermons and gospel songs which are heard all over the world. Dr. Lowry is considered to be one of the world’s greatest gospel song and hymn writers.
Verse 4 really touched me. I know the blood cleanses my sin but I forget why. It is by His blood we are made righteous and become the righteousness of God. Nothing we do or say or think, especially nothing of our own good behavior, can ever make us righteous and acceptable to God. When we take Christ as our righteousness, which is truly grace, we can come to God our Father. We need His blood desperately. Without the blood, we are totally hopeless and dead in our sins.
4
This is all my hope and peace—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my righteousness—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
O thank the Lord my soul. I am cleansed by the blood of Jesus! I am redeemed and restored by His sacrifice. I pray the Light of Jesus shine in my life to help light The Way for others. May I be Your instrument, O God, until my last breath.
ColumnsTwo columns need a wider screenThis hymn is shown in one column because its stanzas aren't numbered.
Theme
Style
Hymn numbers
Announce hymn
What can wash away my sin
h100839What can wash away my sin70015c9feb11cbf7c0ed18c6f1739639a9e0c35f6e8d2e27509f4dbb1cbb5467533a4c02e94fea26https://www.hymnal.net/enencomplete lyrics archive