Rivers & Robots quote Isaiah 1:18 almost directly: "all my sins like scarlet will be white as snow, though they're red like crimson, they will be as wool." The prophet's own offer of exchange — sin for cleansing — supplies the song's central image without needing elaboration.
"A broken and contrite heart You do not despise" lifts Psalm 51:17 nearly word for word, David's own confession after his affair with Bathsheba. "Though I fail a thousand times, Lord, Your mercies are new every morning" keeps the song honest about repetition — not a single failure followed by a single cleansing, but ongoing failure met by equally ongoing mercy.
I cling to the lamb
Who has purchased me with His own blood
And I stand in His righteousness
Washed by His mercy and love
Though I fail a thousand times
Lord, Your mercies are new every morning
Wash my heart clean
Let me spirit be steadfast and strong
All my sins like scarlet
Will be white as snow
Though they’re red like crimson
They will be as wool
A broken and contrite heart
You do not despise
Wash over me
Clean my heart, clean my mind, clean my eyes
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