Thursday Hymn Reflection: “Though Your Sins Be as Scarlet”

[NOTE: Each Thursday, we reflect on a hymn. Many are suggested by our readers. If you would like us to add your favorites to our list, please leave a comment with up to three favorite songs, and we will reflect on them in the future.]

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A Fanny Crosby-W.H. Doane song, “Though Your Sins be as Scarlet” is one of my all-time favorite hymns. The first verse (and title) are based upon Isaiah 1:18, and the entire song takes the theme of forgiveness and encourages the hearer to find his forgiveness in the Lord.

While Crosby wrote over 8000 hymn texts, and Williams Doane contributed the music to many of them, this hymn is quite unique for both. For Crosby, it is unique in that each verse contains the same line several times. For Doane it is unique in that most of his compositions were simple four-part harmony, and this song contains more difficult and intricate music. The end result, though, is a masterpiece.

“Though Your Sins be as Scarlet” has been used for many years as an invitation song, because its focus for the singer is on their need for God, and upon God’s gracious forgiveness. The song is based in the Bible, but it is interesting to me that nearly every reference in the song can be taken as being from the Old Testament (“and remember them no more” is probably based upon Jeremiah 31:34, for example). This is a statement about Crosby’s knowledge of the whole of Scripture, and it reminds us when we sing it to center our minds on the Author of our salvation!

My favorite part of the song is the refrain of each verse, where musically the singers are told to sing the line quietly, then sing loudly and clearly. The final words of the song fit that style of music so well.

Here are the very simple words to this grand hymn, written in 1876:

“Though your sins be as scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though your sins be as scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they be red as crimson,
They shall be as wool;”
“Though your sins be as scarlet,
Though your sins be as scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow,
They shall be as white as snow.

Hear the voice that entreats you,
O return ye unto God!
Hear the voice that entreats you,
O return ye unto God!
He is of great compassion,
And of wondrous love;
Hear the voice that entreats you,
Hear the voice that entreats you,
O return ye unto God!
O return ye unto God!

He’ll forgive your transgressions,
And remember them no more;
He’ll forgive your transgressions,
And remember them no more;
“Look unto Me, ye people,”
Saith the Lord your God!
He’ll forgive your transgressions,
He’ll forgive your transgressions,
And remember them no more,
And remember them no more.

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For now, enjoy this video of the song. NOTE: My plan is to upload a better audio version when I get the chance (and learn how), so check back later tonight to see if that has happened. In the meantime, share your thoughts on this grand hymn in the comments.