This beloved hymn “Power in the Blood” beautifully highlights the cleansing, saving power found in the blood of Christ. Its simple yet deeply meaningful message has encouraged and strengthened believers for generations, reminding hearts of God’s grace, redemption, and forgiveness.
Scripture:
Ephesians 1:7
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Author:
Lewis Edgar Jones
Born: February 8, 1865, Yates City, IL.
Died: September 1, 1936, Santa Barbara, CA.
Pseudonyms: Mary Slater
About the Author:
Lewis Edgar Jones was an American Methodist minister and gospel songwriter whose ministry flourished during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Deeply influenced by the revival movements of his day, Jones developed a passion for heartfelt preaching, evangelism, and congregational singing that would shape both his ministry and his hymn writing.
Although born in Illinois, Jones spent much of his youth in Iowa after moving there with his family. He lived and worked on a farm until the age of twenty-one before entering the business world for a short time. Sensing a call to Christian service, he later enrolled at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, where he graduated alongside well-known evangelist Billy Sunday.
Throughout his life, Jones devoted many years to the work of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). Over a span of thirty-six years, he served in several leadership roles, including physical director of the YMCA in Davenport, Iowa, and general secretary in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1915, he became general secretary of the YMCA in Santa Barbara, California, where he remained until his retirement in 1925.
Jones also became widely known for his gospel songwriting. One of his best-loved hymns was written while attending a camp meeting at Mountain Lake Park, Maryland. The manuscript was later purchased by hymn publisher Henry Lake Gilmour and first appeared in the 1899 hymnal Songs of Praise and Victory, compiled by Gilmour and noted gospel musician William J. Kirkpatrick for the Pepper Publishing Company in Philadelphia.
Lyrics:
1 Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.
Would you o’er evil a victory win?
There’s wonderful power in the blood.
Refrain:
There is power, power, wonder-working power
in the blood of the Lamb;
there is power, power, wonder-working power
in the precious blood of the Lamb.
2 Would you be free from your passion and pride?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.
Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide.
There’s wonderful power in the blood. [Refrain]
3 Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.
Sin-stains are lost in its life-giving flow;
there’s wonderful power in the blood. [Refrain]
4 Would you do service for Jesus your King?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.
Would you live daily His praises to sing?
There’s wonderful power in the blood. [Refrain]
Listen here:
https://youtu.be/y2VhXwpANgI?si=MzuJWcvrbjqu9c3-
Resources:
*https://hymnary.org/person/Jones_Lewis
*https://hymnology.hymnsam.co.uk/l/lewis-edgar-jones
*https://hymnstudiesblog.wordpress.com/2013/02/19/there-is-power-in-the-blood/
*https://hymndex.com/lewis-edgar-jones
If you enjoyed this hymn story, explore more inspiring hymn histories and the lives behind the timeless songs of faith here.