The Hoppers - Forgiveness Lyrics
Lyrics
For sins that made my Savior bleed
I hang my head in shame
Yet for the cleansing that I need
That precious blood I claim
The stripes by which my savior bled
Bring healing, this I know
The blood that stained His garments red
Washed mine as white as snow
Washed mine as white as snow
The harvest of the sin I've sown
He reaped at Calvary
Then sowed a field of his own
And willed it all to me
The stripes by which my Savior bled
Bring healing, this I know
The blood that stained His garments red
Washed mine as white as snow
Oh, washed mine as white as snow
The sun could sooner cease to shine
Keep to itself its rays
Then can this thankful heart of mine
Come bursting forth in praise
The stripes by which my Savior bled
Bring healing, this I know
The blood that stained His garments red
Washed mine as white as snow
Oh, washed mine as white as snow
Washed mine as white as snow
Video
Forgiveness
Meaning & Inspiration
"Forgiveness," featured on The Hoppers' 2000 album *Power*, delves deep into the profound and transformative nature of divine pardon, a theme central to Christian faith. The song immediately confronts the listener with the weight of sin, acknowledging the personal responsibility for the suffering of Christ, as the opening lines speak of sins that "made my Savior bleed," leading to an expression of humble shame. However, this admission of guilt is not left in despair; instead, it pivots to the powerful remedy available through faith. The core message resonates with the concept of atonement, particularly the cleansing power of Jesus' blood, a truth echoed in Scripture, such as in 1 John 1:7 which states, "but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."
The lyrics vividly portray the redemptive work of the cross, emphasizing that the very "stripes by which my Savior bled" are the source of healing. This connects directly to Isaiah 53:5, which prophesies, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." The imagery of Christ's blood, described as staining His garments red, is powerfully juxtaposed with the effect it has on the believer, washing them "as white as snow." This powerful metaphor of purity and renewal is found throughout the Bible, notably in Psalm 51:7: "Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." The song further expands on this redemptive exchange, suggesting that the "harvest of the sin I've sown" was reaped by Christ at Calvary, and in His place, He has "sowed a field of his own" that is now willed to the believer. This speaks to the concept of spiritual inheritance and new life in Christ, a gift offered freely to those who accept it, aligning with passages like 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
Ultimately, "Forgiveness" is a testament to an overwhelming gratitude that arises from understanding the magnitude of this divine gift. The declaration that "the sun could sooner cease to shine...Then can this thankful heart of mine come bursting forth in praise" encapsulates the boundless adoration that stems from experiencing such profound mercy. The repeated affirmation of the healing and cleansing power of Christ's sacrifice serves as a constant reminder of God's love and the victory achieved over sin and its consequences. It’s a deeply spiritual reflection on the core tenets of Christian redemption, inviting listeners to ponder their own relationship with God’s unfathomable grace and the resulting surge of praise that naturally follows such an encounter.