Whiter Than Snow

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:7)

The occasion of David’s writing this psalm is the confession of his sins of adultery and murder. “Purge me with hyssop.” Hyssop was a small, slender plant growing to a height of 18 to 24 inches. When the first Passover lamb was killed in Egypt, the blood of the lamb was poured into a basin. A hyssop plant was dipped in the basin of blood and then using the blood soaked hyssop as an applicator, the blood was put on the lintel over the door and then the two side posts of the door. God said, “When I see the blood I will pass over you.” (Ex.12:13)

King David, born and raised in a Jewish home, knew the place of blood in cleansing from sin. Then David continues by saying, “Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.”  

It takes the blood of the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us at Calvary, to cleanse us from sin. Trust Him today for that cleansing.

Whiter Than Snow

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole; 

I want Thee forever to live in my soul;

Break down every idol, cast out every foe; 

now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Chorus:

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow; 

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lyrics:  James Nicholson