When I saw the Cleansing Fountain Hymn with Lyrics

1. When I saw the cleansing fountain,
Open wide for all my sin,
I obeyed the Spirit’s wooing
When He said, “Wilt thou be clean?”

Refrain:
I will praise Him! I will praise Him!
Praise the Lamb for sinners slain;
Give Him glory, all ye people,
For His blood can wash away each stain.

2 .Tho' the way seems straight and narrow,
All I claimed was swept away;
My ambitions, plans and wishes,
At my feet in ashes lay. [Refrain]

3. Blessed be the name of Jesus!
I’m so glad He took me in;
He’s forgiven my transgressions,
He has cleansed my heart from sin. [Refrain]

4. Glory, glory to the Father!
Glory, glory to the Son!
Glory, glory to the Spirit!
Glory to the Three in One! [Refrain]

Scripture; 

Psalm 50:23, 

Psalm 95:6, Zechariah 13:1, Matthew 7:14

The hymn “When I Saw the Cleansing Fountain”, also known by its refrain “I Will Praise Him”, was written by Margaret Jenkins Harris in the late 19th century. This hymn is a powerful expression of personal salvation, cleansing from sin, and wholehearted praise to Jesus Christ.

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✍️ Background of the Hymn

• Title: When I Saw the Cleansing Fountain

• Refrain: I Will Praise Him

• Lyricist & Composer: Margaret J. Harris (1865–1919)

• Year Written: 1898

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📖 The Story Behind the Hymn

Margaret Harris was a gifted musician and deeply spiritual woman who worked closely with the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) movement in the United States. She served in various roles, including as a music teacher and evangelist.

The inspiration for “I Will Praise Him” came to her during a personal moment of surrender. She had been struggling spiritually, and during a time of deep reflection and prayer, she felt overwhelmed by the realization of Christ’s forgiveness and cleansing power.

She described seeing herself at the cleansing fountain — a reference to the blood of Christ that washes away sin (see Zechariah 13:1: “a fountain…for sin and for uncleanness”). In that moment, she fully surrendered her heart to God.

Out of this experience, she wrote the hymn — words and music — almost spontaneously. The refrain, “Glory, glory to the Son!”, reflects her emotional and spiritual breakthrough.