Romans 5:1
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
This is the inspiration for the first verse of Fanny Crosby’s hymn “Jesus Our Redeemer”:
Justified by faith in Thee,
Peace with God henceforth have we;
From the law we now are free,
Jesus, our blessed Redeemer.
John Sweney’s melody to this lyric, available in free sheet music here, is strong and surprisingly fresh 132 years later. (Incidentally, you will notice the lyrics credited to “Frank Gould” in that sheet music; this was one of many pseudonyms Fanny Crosby used.)
Romans 5:2
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
In this song, perhaps his all-time greatest, and certainly the greatest of his expository songs, early CCM pioneer Keith Green captured the tension of the pull of sin in the believer’s life:
Romans 5:20
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound
It might be easy to dismiss The McKameys at first glance. If you’re not accustomed to their East Tennessee accents or their Appalachian musical style, it’s tempting to only hear that. But if you look past the musical setting and listen to their lyrics, they have hundreds of songs with lyrics deeply rooted in Scripture. This song is as good as any for introducing them to this series:
Expository Songs
Jesus, our Redeemer (Romans 5:1) (1884)
Fanny Crosby
Lyrics | Sheet Music
Grace By Which I Stand (Romans 5:2) (1980)
Keith Green | Popularized by Keith Green
YouTube | Amazon
A God Who Saves (Romans 5:6-10) (2013)
Joel Sczebel | Popularized by Sovereign Grace Music
Lyrics | Sheet Music | YouTube | Amazon
While I Was a Sinner (Romans 5:8)
Wayne Haun, Jeff Bumgardner | Popularized by Ernie Haase and Signature Sound
YouTube | Amazon
Yet While I Was in my Sin (Romans 5:8)
Popularized by Daryl Williams Trio
Amazon
Love So Loved The World (Romans 5:12-21) (1989)
Bob Kauflin | Popularized by GLAD
YouTube | Amazon
Grace Will Much More Abound (Romans 5:20)
Larry Petree | Popularized by The McKameys
YouTube | Amazon
Other References
The Faith By Which We Stand (Romans 5:2) (2018)
Popularized by Steve Green
Amazon
Come Down, O Love Divine! (Romans 5:5)
Richard F. Littledale
Lyrics | Sheet Music
Come, Holy Ghost, in love (Romans 5:5)
Ray Palmer
Lyrics | Sheet Music
Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove (Romans 5:5) (1709)
Isaac Watts | Popularized by Hymns and Spiritual Songs (1707-09)
Lyrics | Sheet Music
Pleading the sacrifice of Christ (O Lamb of God for Sinners Slain) (Romans 5:5)
Charles Wesley
Lyrics | Sheet Music
The fullness of God (Romans 5:5)
Charles Wesley
Lyrics | Sheet Music
The Spirit’s Influences desired (Romans 5:5)
Philip Doddridge
Lyrics | Sheet Music
We’ve Got This Hope (Romans 5:5) (2017)
Popularized by Ellie Holcomb
YouTube | Amazon
There’s Not One (Romans 5:6-8) (1989)
Bob Kauflin | Popularized by GLAD
YouTube | Amazon
I Am Not Skilled to Understand (Romans 5:8)
Dorothy Greenwell
Lyrics | Sheet Music
Reigning in This Life (Romans 5:17)
Daniel S. Warner
Lyrics | Sheet Music