Michael W. Smith - Washed Away - Nothing But The Blood Lyrics
Lyrics
Guilty, I'm guilty
It was all that I could say
Mercy, Your mercy
Crashed in like the waves
And all my sin was washed
Away, washed away
You took them all,
There's not a trace
I stand here free,
With every stain
Forever washed away
Spotless, spotless
Whiter than the snow
Your blood, Your blood
Covers me I'm whole
Oh precious is the flow
That makes me
White as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
And all my sin was
Washed away, washed away
You took them all,
There's not a trace
I stand here free,
With every stain
Forever washed away
And all my sin was
Washed away, washed away
You took them all,
There's not a trace
I stand here free, with every stain
Forever washed away
Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
And all my sin was
Washed away, washed away
You took them all,
There's not a trace
I stand here free, with every stain
Forever washed away
And all my sin was
Washed away, washed away
You took them all,
There's not a trace
I stand here free, with every stain
Forever washed away
Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Video
Michael W. Smith - Washed Away / Nothing But The Blood (Official Lyric Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Michael W. Smith’s "Washed Away - Nothing But The Blood," released on April 5, 2019, emerges as a profound declaration of divine grace and redemption, drawing deeply from the wellspring of Christian tradition. The song powerfully articulates the journey from conviction of sin to the liberating experience of God’s mercy, creating an anthem of freedom for all who acknowledge their need for a Savior. It takes a classic hymn's foundational truth and casts it in a contemporary light, making its timeless message accessible and impactful.
The narrative of "Washed Away" begins with a raw, honest confession: "Guilty, I'm guilty / It was all that I could say." This opening resonates with the universal human experience of recognizing personal wrongdoing and the weight of sin, a sentiment echoed throughout Scripture, such as in Romans 3:23 which states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This moment of self-acknowledgment is quickly met with an overwhelming divine response: "Mercy, Your mercy / Crashed in like the waves." The imagery here is striking and evocative, portraying God’s mercy not as a gentle trickle but as an unstoppable, immense force, mirroring the boundless nature of His compassion described in Lamentations 3:22-23, where His mercies are new every morning and never cease. This powerful influx of mercy immediately shifts the song's direction from despair to hope, setting the stage for the core message of cleansing.
The heart of the song, beautifully articulated in its recurring chorus, is the complete and utter removal of sin: "And all my sin was washed / Away, washed away / You took them all, / There's not a trace / I stand here free, / With every stain / Forever washed away." This vivid imagery of sins being "washed away" speaks to the comprehensive nature of God's forgiveness through Christ. It's not merely a covering but a complete obliteration, leaving "not a trace," a truth gloriously promised in Hebrews 10:17, "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." The resulting state of "standing free, with every stain forever washed away" directly points to the liberation from guilt and condemnation found in Christ, as celebrated in Romans 8:1, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." This freedom is not earned but gifted, a profound experience of grace.
The song then deepens its theological roots by seamlessly incorporating lines from the classic hymn "Nothing But The Blood of Jesus," declaring, "Spotless, spotless / Whiter than the snow / Your blood, Your blood / Covers me I'm whole / Oh precious is the flow / That makes me / White as snow / No other fount I know / Nothing but the blood of Jesus." This powerful section underscores the *means* by which this washing away occurs: the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. The aspiration to be "whiter than the snow" directly references Isaiah 1:18, where God promises, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." The repeated affirmation of "Your blood, Your blood / Covers me I'm whole" points to the sacrificial work of Christ on the cross, the ultimate act of love and redemption, as highlighted in 1 John 1:7, "the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin," and Ephesians 1:7, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace." The hymn's timeless phrase, "No other fount I know / Nothing but the blood of Jesus," serves as a resolute theological statement, proclaiming the exclusivity and sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice as the sole source of salvation and cleansing, echoing Hebrews 9:22 which states that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." The repetition of this profound truth throughout the song is not redundant but rather an intentional act of worship and reinforcement, allowing the deep implications of the message to settle into the heart and mind, building an unshakeable confidence in Christ's finished work. The song, therefore, serves as both a personal testimony and a corporate declaration, inviting all to experience and affirm the profound, life-altering power of being "washed away."