Biblical promises of washing away our sins, guilt and suffering are beautiful, personal and very real, even as they seem distant. This hymn-like piece portrays such vivid biblical images as the Lord trampling our sins under his feet and hurling them into the sea (Micah 7:19), remembering our sins no more as His word enters our hearts (Hebrews 8:10-12), and seeing them transformed from scarlet into white as we wash ourselves clean and relieve the oppressed (Isaiah 1:16-18).
waves, waves of pain * tossing my world upon the beach * my broken dreams surround me * my sins of scarlet sown and safety beyond my reach *
[Chorus]
Dear Lord, will you gather all my faults, with compassion in your arms, trampling my wrongs under your feet? * will you conquer all my guilt and hurl all my sins into the sea? *
oh, how can I be whole * seeing the depths to which I’ve plunged? * I’ve wounded those around me and injured those I love! * 0h, Holy One my time has come *
[Chorus]
wash and be clean * giving to those within your reach * I sweep away transgression * remember sins no more * with tenderness abounding, I’ll turn the crimson white * finding home in heaven * knowing you belong as endless as the waves upon the beach *
I’ll hurl your sins into the sea
~ William T. Stephenson, Orem, Utah 2024 ~