This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.
Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
2. There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain. [Refrain]
3. There shall be showers of blessing:
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come and now honor Thy Word. [Refrain]
4. There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we're confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call! [Refrain]
The hymn "There Shall Be Showers of Blessing" was written by Daniel W. Whittle in 1883, during a time of revival and spiritual renewal in the United States. The story behind the hymn is tied to Whittle's deep personal faith and his connection to the powerful movements of the Holy Spirit during the late 19th century.
Daniel W. Whittle's Background:
Whittle was a former soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War, and after the war, he struggled with feelings of guilt and spiritual emptiness. However, his life was transformed when he came to a personal faith in Jesus Christ. He became an evangelist and hymn writer, known for his passionate desire to spread the gospel message.
Whittle often collaborated with the renowned gospel music composer James McGranahan, who composed the music for "There Shall Be Showers of Blessing." McGranahan was known for his ability to set lyrics to melodies that resonated deeply with congregations and contributed significantly to the hymnal tradition of the time.
Inspiration for the Hymn:
The lyrics of "There Shall Be Showers of Blessing" were inspired by the biblical imagery of rain and showers as symbols of God's grace, mercy, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The hymn draws from passages in the Old Testament, particularly Ezekiel 34:26, which says, "I will make them and the places around my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing."
In the hymn, Whittle expressed a deep desire for spiritual renewal and blessings for both individuals and the broader community. The "showers of blessing" in the hymn represent the life-giving grace and spiritual refreshment that come from God's presence.
The hymn's message was especially relevant during the Second Great Awakening and other revival movements in the late 19th century, when people were seeking spiritual renewal, and the church was experiencing a heightened awareness of the need for revival and a closer relationship with God.
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