Obvious from its title, "Jesus Paid It All," this hymn harkens to the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus through his crucifixion. Elvina Hall, inspired by her gratitude of our salvation through Jesus, wrote this hymn as a reminder of the price paid to resolve us of our sins. This song remains very popular today, performed by various contemporary music artists.
I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.
And now complete in Him,
My robe, His righteousness,
Close sheltered ’neath His side,
I am divinely blest.
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
Can change the *leper’s spots [*leopard’s]
And melt the heart of stone.
When from my dying bed
My ransomed soul shall rise,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
Shall rend the vaulted skies.
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down,
All down at Jesus’ feet.
The Story Behind Jesus Paid It All
Elvina Hall originally conceived the idea for "Jesus Paid It All" while sitting in the choir loft listening to a Pastor's prayer. Her mind turned to our need for salvation and the price Jesus paid for it. She then scribbled the initial makings of this renowned hymn on her hymnbook, later developing the lyrics into the published form.
After writing this hymn, Hall gave it to her Pastor and an extraordinary "coincidence" took place that day at the Monument Street Methodist Church of Baltimore. Organist John Grape had recently written a new tune and given it to the pastor. The pastor saw that the tune and the poem fit together extremely well, so he united them. In that way, one of the most beloved hymns of the church came into being.
Story adapted from the article Jesus Paid It All on Christianity.com
Popular Hymn Lyrics with Story and Meaning
Day by Day and With Each Passing Moment
Jesus Loves Me
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Blessed Assurance
Nearer My God to Thee
Abide with Me
His Eye is On the Sparrow
Be Thou My Vision
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty
Amazing Grace