Newsboys - Jesus Paid It All Lyrics
Lyrics
I hear the Savior say,
Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone,
Can change the leper's spots
and melt the heart of stone.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
Jesus died my soul to save,
my lips shall still repeat
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow
O Praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
O Praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
O Praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
Video
Newsboys - Jesus Paid It All (Lyrics)
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on November 4, 2014, as part of their album *Hallelujah For the Cross*, Newsboys’ rendition of "Jesus Paid It All" revitalizes a timeless hymn, echoing a profound message of grace and redemption for a contemporary audience. This powerful song, originally penned by Elvina M. Hall in 1865, speaks to the very core of Christian belief, articulating humanity's inability to save itself and the complete sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. Newsboys skillfully retain the hymn's theological depth while presenting it with a fresh urgency, ensuring its vital truth continues to resonate across generations.
The song immediately establishes the human condition, opening with the Savior's gentle yet direct pronouncement: "Thy strength indeed is small; Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all." This poignant invitation highlights our inherent feebleness and dependence, a truth consistently affirmed in Scripture. As 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us, God declares, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." This sets the stage for a humble recognition that any strength or salvation must come from outside ourselves, underscoring Jesus’ call in John 15:5, "Apart from me you can do nothing." The message is clear: true provision and power are found exclusively in Him, making Him the ultimate source for every need.
The enduring chorus, "Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow," stands as the song's unwavering anchor. This declaration encapsulates the entirety of the gospel: Christ's atoning work on the cross. The "crimson stain" vividly portrays the pervasive and deep-seated nature of sin, a stain that no human effort can erase. Isaiah 1:18 offers the divine promise, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow," a direct fulfillment of which is found in Christ's sacrifice. His death was not merely an act of kindness but a complete payment, settling the insurmountable debt of humanity’s rebellion, as Colossians 2:13-14 powerfully states: "He canceled the record of debt that stood against us... nailing it to the cross." This act ensures that all who trust in Him are fully redeemed, owing everything to His singular, perfect work.
The song continues to explore the transformative power of this payment, noting, "Lord, now indeed I find Thy power and Thine alone, Can change the leper's spots and melt the heart of stone." Here, the lyrics move beyond intellectual assent to a personal experience of God's regenerating work. The "leper's spots" symbolize incurable outward manifestations of sin and disease, referencing the physical and spiritual cleansing Jesus provides, just as He miraculously healed lepers in the Gospels (Mark 1:40-42). Even more profoundly, the "heart of stone" speaks to the inner corruption and resistance to God, a condition that only divine intervention can remedy. Ezekiel 36:26 promises, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This verse beautifully aligns with the song’s assertion that only God's sovereign power can bring about such radical, internal change, restoring us to spiritual vitality.
The concluding sections look forward with hopeful assurance: "And when before the throne I stand in Him complete, Jesus died my soul to save, my lips shall still repeat... O Praise the one who paid my debt And raised this life up from the dead." This future-oriented perspective offers immense comfort and certainty. Standing "in Him complete" reflects the biblical truth found in Colossians 2:10, where we are assured of being made full in Christ, free from condemnation (Romans 8:1). The song climaxes with a resounding anthem of praise for the resurrection, acknowledging that Christ not only paid the debt but also conquered death itself, raising life from the dead. This echoes 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, which declares that "Christ died for our sins... and that he was raised on the third day." This ultimate victory over sin and death is the foundation of our hope and the eternal reason for our worship, making the song not just a confession of faith, but a powerful act of worship itself. "Jesus Paid It All" remains a profound declaration of God's redemptive love, inspiring gratitude and unwavering trust in the finished work of Christ.