Summer Hymn Study: Week 4

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 of 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

This hymn was written in the 1860's by Charitie Lees Bancroft, daughter of an Irish minister. The song was originally titled "Advocate" as the lyrics illustrate the truth that Jesus is our Advocate before God the Father. In 1997 Vicki Cook of Sovereign Grace Ministries put the lyrics to the more upbeat tune that we know it by today, and the song took on more popularity. In addition, the title of the hymn became "Before the Throne of God Above."

"Jesus the Great High Priest"

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16

Shane & Shane have a great version of the song, with a few additional lyrics added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LpjzDCk-Io

Application for this week:

-Commit the words to memory by listening to it several times daily- make it your prayer to the Lord!

-If this applies to you, sing the hymn to your children before bed each night this week. (At the end of this past week, Lucy would request Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing when I asked her what she wanted me to sing during bedtime. Then she would say "again"
after it was over. It is so precious to me!)

-Search for scripture that describes Jesus as our Advocate before the Lord. Consider how privileged we are to have access to the God of the Universe through Jesus! He has chosen us to be His children. What an amazing, incomparable gift!

-Spend some time journaling about specific sin for which our sinless Savior died. Be specific and then look over the list while playing this hymn. Realized the completeness of His forgiveness. Confess these sins to Him and rejoice that He made an end to ALL our sin!

Have a wonderful week, friends!!
Love,

Annie

Resources:

https://churchmusictoday.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/behind-the-song-before-the-throne-of-god-above/

https://medium.com/congregational-song/hymn-reflection-before-the-throne-of-god-above-9e2e459cb840