Lyrics - Before the Throne of God Above

Verse 1

Before the throne of God above

I have a strong and perfect plea

A great High Priest whose name is love

Who ever lives and pleads for me

My name is graven on His hands

My name is written on His heart

I know that while in heav’n He stands

No tongue can bid me thence depart

No tongue can bid me thence depart

Verse 2

When Satan tempts me to despair

And tells me of the guilt within

Upward I look and see Him there

Who made an end to all my sin

Because the sinless Savior died

My sinful soul is counted free

For God the Just is satisfied

To look on Him and pardon me

To look on Him and pardon me

Verse 3

Behold Him there, the risen Lamb

My perfect, spotless Righteousness

The great unchangeable I AM

The King of glory and of grace

One with Himself, I cannot die

My soul is purchased by His blood

My life is hid with Christ on high

With Christ my Savior and my God

With Christ my Savior and my God

© 1997 Sovereign Grace Worship/ASCAP (adm. by Integrity Music)

Bible Memory Verse

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 - ESV)

Story Behind the Song

This hymn has an old lyric refreshed for all of us in a new and incredible melody by Vikki Cooke of Sovereign Grace Music.

Here is the story in their words…

“Vikki Cook first heard “Before the Throne of God Above’ when one of her pastors returned from the UK with it. The version be brought was set to the tune of JERUSALEM, written by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings. Vikki fell in love with the lyrics which focus on Christ’s intercession, his substitutionary sacrifice, and our union with him. But she thought the tune, while beautiful, was difficult to pick up.

So she wrote a new, more accessible melody that reflects the joy-filled awe of having a “great high priest whose name is love who ever lives and pleads for me.” It’s yet one more example of a hymn being retuned so more people might benefit from its biblically rich, Christ-exalting lyrics.”

Something to Think About

I cannot tell you how many times this hymn has brought me deep comfort. When I feel worried or shaky or lost. When I have unanswered questions. When I am sad over my sin. It reminds me of the heart of the gospel, the heart of our Savior - to welcome us in again, wash us clean and steady us on the Rock of our salvation. It’s so important that we turn our minds towards the right and true things we know of the Lord in His word.

When I was little my uncle owned a department store. It had been my grandfather’s before that and my great, great uncle’s before that. It was very large and sold so many different things. My sister Jenni and I would love to explore and sometimes found ourselves lost in back hallways and old twisty staircases. Places we should not have been! We were always glad when we found our way back. Usually to the toy shop!

Our minds can be like that - lots of hallways that could lead us to places that can seem like wrong turns, strange or scary or dark. God’s truth brings us into the light, to bright open spaces where His followers return to. We need to remind ourselves all the time of the truth because we can so easily get lost in the wrong thought paths! Singing God’s truth helps this a lot.

I hope you enjoy learning this beautiful hymn because it will help you so many times in your life.

Prayer

Father in heaven,

We praise you for you have brought us near to your throne. May we stay close. Fill our minds with your gospel story so that we never forget and our lives bring you glory each day,

In Jesus name

Amen

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