atonement

salvation

blood

There Is a Fountain Filled With Blood

William Cowper 1772 Tune: Cleansing Fountain (C.M. (8.6.8.6))

Cowper's vivid meditation on the cleansing power of Christ's atoning blood.

Quick Answer

Cowper's vivid meditation on the cleansing power of Christ's atoning blood. Written by William Cowper (1772), set to the tune "Cleansing Fountain" by Lowell Mason (arr.).

Suggested pairing scripture

Zechariah 13:1

"In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness."

Read Zechariah 13:1 (KJV) aloud as a call to worship before the congregation sings "There Is a Fountain Filled With Blood." It anchors the hymn in the Word from which it flows.

Read in context

When to sing this

Sing on Good Friday, during Holy Week reflections, and at the Lord's Supper as the congregation contemplates the cross.

Lyrics

Stanza 1

There is a fountain filled with blood Drawn from Immanuel'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.

Stanza 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.

Stanza 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.

Stanza 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.

Stanza 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.

History & Background

William Cowper, who battled severe melancholy throughout his life, wrote the hymn around 1772 during his collaboration with John Newton on the Olney Hymns (1779). The imagery is drawn from Zechariah 13:1. The American folk-style tune was arranged by Lowell Mason from a traditional melody in 1830.

Scripture Behind the Hymn

Zechariah 13:1

"In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness."

Read in context

1 John 1:7

"The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

Read in context

Luke 23:42-43

"And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise."

Read in context

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Cowper use such graphic blood imagery?

He drew directly from Zechariah 13:1 ('a fountain opened... for sin and for uncleanness') and 1 John 1:7. For Cowper, who suffered crushing depression and doubt, the cleansing blood of Christ was the only sure ground of peace.

Related Hymns

Other hymns that share themes or scripture with There Is a Fountain Filled With Blood.

Rock of Ages

Augustus M. Toplady · 1776

The Old Rugged Cross

George Bennard · 1913

Jesus Paid It All

Elvina M. Hall · 1865

Related Reading

Continue your study with related content from across our library:

There Is a Fountain Filled With Blood

William Cowper • 1772

Spiritual Warfare

The Blood of the Lamb

Revelation 12:11 — the saints overcome the accuser by the blood of the Lamb. Chr

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus

Robert Lowry • 1876

The Crucifixion of Jesus

Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19 • Atonement and Sacrifice

God Promises Complete Forgiveness

Bible promises that God forgives all sins through Christ.

Bible Verses About the Blood of Jesus

10 curated KJV verses

Where to go next

Enjoyed "There Is a Fountain Filled With Blood"? These pages pair well with it for worship planning.

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