Text: Daniel W. White
Tune: James McGranaham
Genre: Gospel Hymn
Language: English
Scripture Reference: Ezekiel 34:26
Liturgical Uses/Seasons: Assurance, Lord’s Supper
Themes: Revival, Spiritual Renewal
Hymnal Reference: #289 Hymnal for Worship and Celebrations

This hymn is associated with themes of revival and spiritual renewal. It expresses a deep longing for God’s blessings and the refreshments He gives through His infinite grace. From its opening Phrase, “There Shall Be Showers of Blessings,” the Hymn reflects God’s promise of blessings to his people, echoing Ezekiel 34:26, where God assures His people of spiritual nutrition. The notion of “Season Refreshing” connects with Acts 3:19, where the scripture calls for repentance in order to experience spiritual transformation and refreshment from the Lord Almighty. “The imagery of Sound of Abundance of rain” reflected in the hymn relates to James 5:18, which shows how prayer leads to Divine blessings, encouraging growth and revival in all spheres of life.

The hymn’s emphasis of divine request for blessings captures the believer’s total dependence on God’s grace and mercies mirrored in 2 Chronicles 7:14, where God promised to restore His people if they seek Him humbly. Other themes, like confession and calling on Jesus, underscores the urgency of repentance. This is in tune with Romans 10:13, which guarantees that calling on the Lord Jesus leads to salvation. The hymn ultimately captures the desire for divine intervention, renewed life and the promises of God which never fails, inviting a collective response through prayer and confession to experience God’s new grace.

The hymn is used usually as a Choir Piece. The hymn is used during revival services Sunday worship. The hymn is used during outreach programs. The hymn is used during the Lord’s Supper, emphasizing Christ’s Death for mankind’s redemption. The hymn is used in hymn interpretation sermons

Available lyrics (with translations if not in English)

1. There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.

Refrain
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy drops ’round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

2. There shall be showers of blessing—
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

3. There shall be showers of blessing:
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing;
Come and now honor Thy Word.

4. There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

Sources:
Brink, Emily R., and Bert Polman. Psalter Hymnal Handbook. Grand Rapids: CRC Publications, 1998.
Herod, Logan. “History of Hymns: ‘I Know Whom I Have Believed’.” United Methodist Discipleship Ministries, [University of Mary Hardin-Baylor], 2019.
Morgan, Robert J. Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World’s Greatest Hymn Stories. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2003
Watson, J. Richard, and Carlton R. Young. “Daniel Webster Whittle.” The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology. Canterbury Press, accessed November 3, 2024
Young, Carlton R. Companion to The United Methodist Hymnal. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1993.

Contributed by Joshua Yero Kwasau.