William McComb – Chief of Sinners Though I Be

Political activist William McComb was an Irish cartoonist, poet, and poet during the 19th-century.  He wrote three volumes of poetry, including:

• The Dirge of O’Neill and other Poems (1817)
• The School of the Sabbath (1822)
• The Voice of a Year (1848)

He also started a successful annual publication, McComb’s Presbyterian Alamanac, which ran from 1840 to 1881.  He is also well-known as the author of the famous hymn Chief of Sinners Though I Be.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

McComb makes several points about Jesus and himself, which applies to other Christians:

Jesus

• Died and rose again for us, while McComb was a sinner
• Source of life; great Physician
• Love is deep and wide; eternal
• Offers tranquility and happiness beyond human understanding or ability
• Source of faith
• Knows all things
• Encourages McComb through His Word and the Holy Spirit to remain on the narrow road
• Offers undeserved favor

Himself

• Identifies as “chief of sinners”
• Dependant on Christ
• Jesus is his “all in all”
• Offers to Jesus his desires and suffering

Score: 10/10

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

McComb’s song aligns with God’s inspired Word.

This song is public domain.

[Verse 1]

Chief of sinners though I be,

McComb identifies with Paul in 1 Timothy 1:15, that he feels like the most sinful person alive.

Jesus shed His blood for me.
Died that I might live on high,
Lived that I might never die.

Christ died to pay the penalty for McComb’s lawbreaking (Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, John 19:30, 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, Colossians 2:14, 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), that through His death and resurrection (Matthew 28:1-20, Mark 16:1-20, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29, Acts 1:3, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:33, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8), we may attain eternal life (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).

As the branch is to the vine,
I am His and He is mine.

References Jesus’ words in John 15:1-11.

[Verse 2]

Oh, the height of Jesus’ love,
Higher than the heav’ns above,
Deeper than the depths of sea,
Lasting as eternity!
Love that found me–wondrous thought!
Found me when I sought Him not.

As summarized by Ephesians 3:18-19, the height of Jesus’ love is through sacrifice, that He became a man (John 1:1, John 1:14, and Philippians 2:5-8) and died for us while we were sinners (Romans 5:6-8).

[Verse 3]

Only Jesus can impart
Balm to heal the wounded heart,

That is, Jesus is the great Physician (Matthew 9:12, Mark 2:17, and Luke 5:31); only He can save (John 14:6 and Acts 4:12).

Peace that flows from sin forgiv’n,
Joy that lifts the soul to heav’n.

It is through Jesus that we receive incomprehensible peace (Philippians 4:7) and abundant joy (Romans 15:13).

Faith and hope to walk with God
In the way that Enoch trod.

Christ is the originator of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).  Through Him, we have faith to walk with God as Enoch did in Hebrews 11:5.

[Verse 4]

Chief of sinners though I be,

Repeats Verse 1, line 1.

Christ is all in all to me.

Borrows from the tail end of Colossians 3:11, meaning that Jesus is most important to McComb (Hebrews 12:2).

All my wants to Him are known,
All my sorrows are His own.

McComb obeys Philippians 4:6.  It could also refer to Jesus’ omniscience (1 Kings 8:39, 1 Chronicles 28:9, Psalm 44:21, Psalm 139:4, Psalm 147:4-5, Isaiah 40:28, Matthew 10:30, John 16:30, John 21:17, Acts 1:24, Hebrews 4:13, and 1 John 3:20).

He sustains the hidden life

That is, hidden life in God (Colossians 3:3).

Safe with Him from earthly strife. 

Jesus is McComb’s defense (Ruth 2:12, 2 Samuel 22:3-4, Psalm 3:3, Psalm 5:11, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 32:7, Psalm 34:22, Psalm 41:2, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 57:1, Psalm 59:1, Psalm 61:3, Psalm 91:1-16, Psalm 118:8, Psalm 121:7-8, Psalm 138:7, Proverbs 18:10, Proverbs 30:5, Nahum 1:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, and 1 John 5:18).

[Verse 5]

O my Savior, help afford
By Your Spirit and Your Word!
When my wayward heart would stray,
Keep me in the narrow way;

The Holy Spirit (John 16:8, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 6:16-19, and 2 Timothy 1:14) and Scripture (John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and Hebrews 4:12) help McComb remain on the right path.

Grace in time of need supply
While I live and when I die.

Jesus offers grace to McComb (Luke 18:9-14, Acts 13:39, Romans 3:20-30, Romans 4:1-7, Romans 8:3, Romans 9:16, Romans 9:31-32, Romans 11:6, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 3:10-12, Galatians 3:21, Galatians 5:2-4, Ephesians 2:8-9, Philippians 3:3-9, 2 Timothy 1:9, Hebrews 6:1-2, and James 2:10-11).

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

This song is thick with Christianese language, though somewhat understandable to unbelievers.  Listed below are the things I believe the typical non-Christian would and would not understand:

Probably understands

• This song is Christian based on its description of Jesus’ shed blood and explicit usage of the name “Jesus”
• McComb thinks he’s the worst human alive
• Christians believe peace and joy come from Jesus
• Christ is McComb’s most treasured possession
• McComb talks with Jesus and tells Him his wants and pain
• McComb feels safe with Jesus

Probably does not understand

• Sin is lawbreaking, as opposed to making mistakes
• How Christ’s death causes Christians to live
• How the Spirit and Word help McComb stay on the straight path

Score: 7/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus through McComb’s many truths about Him and His relation to McComb, listed in section 1.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

William McComb’s Chief of Sinners Though I Be is a worthy song.  It proclaims McComb as an undeserving sinner who needs Christ’s love and forgiveness through His sacrifice.  McComb is dependant on Him as his foundation for faith and sustainer of his walk.  McComb imparts on Christ his fears and desires, bringing Jesus glory.  Much will be understood by unbelievers, though perhaps not the concept of sin, how Jesus’ death causes life, and the role of the Holy Spirit and Word to keep McComb on the narrow path.

I highly recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: Chief of Sinners Though I Be (listen to a Lutheran Quartet’s version of this song)

Artist: William McComb

Album: N/A

Genre: Hymn

Release Year: 1864

Duration: N/A

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Updates:

10/08/2022 – Added commentary on the “hidden life”.  Thanks to Steve B for asking about it!