Reflections by Sean Carter and Melanie Tierce, co-writers
[SEAN] As Melanie Tierce, David Gentiles and I co-wrote "Redeemed By The Blood Of The Lamb" with students at The Emerging Sound summer songwriting intensive, we were talking about the rich legacy of hymns and we wanted to use language that was reminiscent of the songs of old. For years, hymn writers have used the "river" metaphor to describe how the cross of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)
In verse 1 the "crimson river" is the cross of Jesus, that Holy place where blood and water poured from His side. We lay our "burdens on the shore," that is, our sin at the foot of the cross. As we "go down a sinner," we surrender wholly to Christ, and in the power of the cross we are made new. We identify with Paul's words, for we "died with Christ" and walk in newness of life!
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20
[MELANIE] The chorus of this song reminds me of Psalm 107:2, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.” When you’ve been saved by the grace of Jesus, and brought from death to life, you just HAVE to let others know about it! The simple gospel truth of not being who you once were, and now belonging to God as a beloved child is worth celebrating and testifying about!
[SEAN] Verse 2 continues using "water" references to communicate mercy, grace, and new life in Jesus. Indeed, we found our “life there in that flood,” and we echo Titus 3:5:
"He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit."
Also, from Hebrews 9:14:
"How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"
Verse 3 echoes the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 and also Jesus’ words in John 7:37-38. He is our Living Water and we will never thirst again. Jesus invites us to come to Him with all the “pangs of life,” that is mental anguish, hunger, and a soul-thirst that can only truly be satisfied in knowing Him.
Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
Verse 4 is delivered with such tenderness and delicacy, as Melanie sings about “crossing that river.” The crossing of the river Jordan has long been used in spirituals as a metaphor of the believer passing on from this life and to our heavenly home. We will indeed “fall at His throne and forever worship Christ!”
[MELANIE] As we do this song live, I see it resonate immediately, even as the people are still learning the melody. It’s simple enough to learn quickly, and the simplicity of the message means that they can grab onto it right away and declare it as their own. It’s every believer’s story.
As we finished the recording, there was this beautiful hush that filled the room. Sean (who is so thoroughly equipped with the Word and always seems to have the perfect scripture at the perfect time) read the passage in Revelation 12: 10-11. As he was reading, I quickly heard a melody so clearly woven to the lyrics “We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.” Suddenly, the whole room of students’ faith rose to the occasion! Again and again we victoriously declared it - overcoming even in that moment, singing the truth of His Word over any and every circumstance we were facing! It was indeed a triumphant sound!
Listen to “Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb” from “The Emerging Sound Volume 5”
