A fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
Zechariah 13:1
Words: Phoebe W. Palmer (1807–1874). This song was in use in camp meetings by 1872, and was apparently written the year before. In an 1871 letter, Phoebe Palmer (the elder) said she had been asked by her daughter (Phoebe Palmer Knapp) to write a hymn poem for her. It is thought Cleansing Wave was the result.
Music: Phoebe P. Knapp (1839–1908) (🔊 pdf nwc).
Oh, now I see the cleansing wave!
The fountain deep and wide;
Jesus, my Lord, mighty to save,
Points to His wounded side.
Refrain
The cleansing stream I see! I see!
I plunge, and oh, it cleanseth me!
Oh, praise the Lord! It cleanseth me!
It cleanseth me—yes, cleanseth me.
I rise to walk in Heav’n’s own light,
Above the world and sin,
With heart made pure and garments white,
And Christ enthroned within.
Refrain
I see the new creation rise;
I hear the speaking blood.
It speaks! Polluted nature dies!
Sinks ’neath the cleansing flood.
Refrain
Amazing grace! ’tis Heav’n below
To feel the blood applied,
And Jesus, only Jesus know,
My Jesus crucified.
Refrain