Travis Cottrell – The Blood of Jesus Speaks For Me

Travis Cottrell has been around since 1992, releasing several solo albums and collaborated with Don Moen, MercyMe, and Max Lucado on several albums.  Below is a full list:

Solo albums

• The Deep (2001)
• Unashamed Love (2003)
• Alive Forever (2005)
• Found (2006)
• Ring the Bells (2008) (Christmas album)
• Jesus Saves Live (2010) (live album)
• When the Stars Burn Down (2011)
• I’m Living Proof (2014)
• All That Is Within Me (2016)
• The Reason (2018)

Collaboration albums

• Don Moen – Mighty Cross (1994)
• Don Moen – Emmanuel Has Come (1996)
• Beth Moore – Living Proof Live 2 (2000)
• Don Moen – God in Us (2001)
• Don Moen – Thank You Lord (2004)
• MercyMe – Coming Up to Breathe (2006)
• Various – iWorship/Connect: Live Your Worship (2009)
• Various – iWorship Hymns: The Essential Collection (2009)
• Max Lucado – Fearless Worship (2009)
• Various – Pressing On: Songs inspired by the Journeys of Paul (2009)

He received a Dove award in 2010 for Choral Collection of the Year for his album Jesus Saves Live.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.

1. What message does the song communicate?

Much of the song focuses on the cross and Christ crucified, its effects on us, and our response to it.  It touches on topics, such as rebuking the devil, Christ’s worthiness of honor and praise, and that He is Ruler and King.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

I found everything in the song to agree with the Bible.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

The blood of Jesus speaks for me

That which Christ’s blood speaks is explained in line 6.  Also, see Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 1:2, and 1 Peter 1:18-19.

Be still my soul, redeeming love

References Psalm 46:10.

out of the dust of Calvary
is rising to the throne above

An allusion to the resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, Acts 1:3, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:33, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

There is no vengeance in His cry

Rather than take personal vengeance, he begged His Father to forgive them (Luke 23:34).

while “it is finished,” fills the sky
Forgiveness is the final plea

Tetelestai is the legal term Jesus used in John 19:30, meaning “it is finished” or “paid in full”. It shows up in the backs of 1st-century legal documents indicating that a debt had been paid in full. Our debt is nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14). Also, see Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, Acts 4:12, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9.

It also carries the notion of a mission accomplished, fulfilling the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17-20).

The blood of Jesus speaks for me

Repeats line 1.

[Verse 2]

My heart can barely take it in
He pardons all my guilty stains

An appropriate response of awe-ness to Christ’s amazing sacrifice.

Surrender all my shame to Him

So that we may receive rest (Matthew 11:28-30).

He breaks the curse of every chain

The chains of our enslavement to sin broken, we are now free to worship and follow Jesus (see Psalm 119:45, Isaiah 58:6, Isaiah 61:1, John 3:16-21, John 8:31-36, John 10:10, Acts 13:38-39, Romans 6:1-23, Romans 8:1-4, Romans 8:20-21, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 7:21-23, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 2:4, Galatians 3:13, Galatians 3:22, Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:13, Colossians 1:21-23, Hebrews 2:14-15, and 1 Peter 2:16).

My sin is great, but greater still
the boundless grace His heart reveals

As described eloquently and repetitively by the Apostle Paul in Romans 5:12-21.

A mercy deeper than the sea

Figurative language describing the depth of God’s love (Psalm 36:5-7).

the blood of Jesus speaks for me

Repeats Verse 1, line 1.

[Verse 3]

When my accuser makes the claim
that I should die for my offense

It could be either the world, the flesh, or the devil that makes such an accusation, the unholy trinity of lies (John 8:44).

I point him to that rugged frame
where I found life at Christ’s expense

If we cling onto Jesus, the devil will flee (Romans 16:20, Ephesians 4:27, Ephesians 6:11, and James 4:7).

See from His hands, His feet, His side
the fountain flowing deep and wide
Oh hear it shout the victory

Poetic language referring to Christ’s blood that washes over us (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 1:2, and 1 Peter 1:18-19).

the blood of Jesus speaks for me

Repeats Verse 1, line 1.

[Bridge]

Worthy is the Lamb, Lamb for sinners’ slain
Jesus, Lord of all glory to His name

References the choral assembly described in Revelation 5:13, all creation will praise God.

Heaven crying out, let the earth proclaim
power in the blood, glory to His name

See commentary in Verse 3, lines 5-7.

Worthy is the Lamb, Lamb for sinners’ slain
Jesus, Lord of all glory to His name
Heaven crying out, let the earth proclaim
power in the blood, glory to His name

Repeats lines 1-4.

Jesus!

Yes, Jesus!  Hallelujah!

[Verse 4]

Oh let my soul arise and sing
My confidence is not in vain

Rejoicing is an appropriate response to Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection (John 20:20).

The One who fights for me is King

That is, Jesus (Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 11:10, John 12:15, 1 Timothy 6:13-16, Revelation 17:14, and Revelation 19:11-16).

His oath, His covenant remain

The Old Testament contains many everlasting covenants from God, including Genesis 9:12-16, Genesis 17:7-13, Numbers 18:19, 2 Samuel 23:5, 1 Chronicles 16:17, Psalm 105:8-10, Psalm 111:5-9, Isaiah 55:3, Jeremiah 32:40, Jeremiah 50:5, Ezekiel 16:60, and Ezekiel 37:26.  Much (if not all) finds its fulfillment in Jesus (Hebrews 13:20).

No condemnation now I dread

As seen in Romans 8:1-3.

eternal hope is mine instead

Freed from the shackles of sin, we may attain eternal life with God (Mark 10:29-30, John 3:15-16, John 3:36, John 4:14, John 5:24, John 5:39-40, John 6:27, John 6:40, John 10:28, John 17:3, John 20:31, Romans 5:21, Romans 6:22-23, Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Galatians 6:8, 1 Timothy 1:16, 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 2:11 , Hebrews 5:9, 1 Peter 5:10, 1 John 2:23-27, 1 John 5:10-13, 1 John 5:20, Jude 1:20-21, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 7:16-17, and Revelation 21:3-4).

His Word will stand, I stand redeemed

The Word of the Lord last forever (Isaiah 40:6–8, 1 Peter 1:24-25).

The blood of Jesus speaks for me

Repeats Verse 1, line 1.

Amazing love, how can it be?

Rhetorical question with an obvious answer.

The blood of Jesus speaks for me
For me!
For me!

Final repeat of Verse 1, line 1.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

This song should be easily understood by someone who is not a Christian.  Christians worship God because of His shed blood.  They may not understand its significance, but that will be an issue regardless of Christian song.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies the cross and Christ’s triumphant resurrection.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Travis Cottrell’s The Blood of Jesus Speaks For Me is a great song.  It focuses on the blood of Jesus and its wonder-working power in the lives of Christians.  It agrees with Scripture, is easy to comprehend for unbelievers, and brings God glory.

This is the perfect addition for a congregation looking for a contemporary take on lyrics that sound like a hymn.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: The Blood of Jesus Speaks For Me (Live) (listen to the song)

Artist: Travis Cottrell

Album: All That Is Within Me (Live)

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2016

Duration: 4:58

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*Copyright © 2015 TimeChange Music (ASCAP) Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publ. (ASCAP) Great Revelation Music (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

03/26/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.