Jesus Thy Blood and Righteousness (Hymn)

Jesus Thy Blood and Righteousness is a powerful Christian hymn that proclaims salvation through Christ’s atoning blood, the assurance of justification, and the believer’s righteousness in Him. This timeless song emphasizes the sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice, freeing believers from sin, guilt, and fear, as they stand clothed in His righteousness before God.

VERSE 1
Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress;
‘midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head.

VERSE 2
Bold shall I stand in Thy great day;
For who aught to my charge shall lay?
Fully absolved through these I am
From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.

VERSE 3
When from the dust of death I rise
To claim my mansion in the skies,
E’en then this shall be all my plea,
Jesus hath lived, hath died, for me.

VERSE 4
Jesus, be endless praise to Thee,
Whose boundless mercy hath for me,
For me a full atonement made,
An everlasting ransom paid.

VERSE 5
O let the dead now hear Thy voice;
Now bid Thy banished ones rejoice;
Their beauty this, their glorious dress,
Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness.

Story Behind the Song

Nicolaus von Zinzendorf, born in 1700 in Dresden, Germany, was deeply influenced by his pietistic upbringing and education. In 1722, he offered his estate as a refuge for persecuted Christians, leading to the formation of the Herrnhut community, primarily composed of Moravian Brethren. This community became a center for religious renewal and missionary zeal. [1]

Zinzendorf was a prolific hymn writer, composing over 2,000 hymns. Among them, “Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness” stands out. The original German version contained 33 stanzas, reflecting deep theological insights into Christ’s atoning work. The hymn emphasizes the believer’s justification through the righteousness of Christ, a theme central to Zinzendorf’s teachings.[2]

In 1739, during a sea voyage from Saint Thomas in the West Indies, Zinzendorf penned this remarkable hymn. His experiences and observations during his missionary travels profoundly influenced its content, infusing it with a sense of urgency and devotion.

The hymn gained wider recognition when John Wesley translated and adapted it into English, publishing it in 1740 under the title “The Believer’s Triumph.” Wesley’s translation, though condensed, preserved the essence of Zinzendorf’s original message, making it accessible to English-speaking congregations. [3]

Today, “Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness” remains a cherished hymn, sung in various denominations worldwide. Its enduring popularity testifies to its profound theological depth and the universal appeal of its message of redemption and assurance in Christ. [4]