The author of this song faced great loss as a child, struggled with despair, and at age 21 found himself in an insane asylum for 18 months where he began to read his Bible and discover the freedom found in Christ's sacrifice. In 1770, he wrote a hymn based on Zechariah 13:1: “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.” “There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood” paints a vivid picture of Christ’s atoning blood.
