Hymn Study: Before the Throne of God Above

Originally written by Charitie Lees Bankcroft (1841-1923), this is probably one of my favourite hymns. The tune here was put to the original words by Vikki Cook in 1997.
I've written elsewhere about being driven as opposed to resting in relation to homeschooling and mothering and the second verse, 'When Satan tempts me to despair,' is so applicable in that context.

Despair:

A destitution of hope or expectation.
Synonyms: gloom, disheartenment, discouragement, despondency.

We despair or become disheartened because we're looking in the long places and listening to the wrong voices. Marriage and motherhood are spiritual battle zones and we do have an enemy and when I sing this wonderful hymn it reminds me of this. It points me to a place of rest and enables me to have an eternal perspective at the same time as it strengthens and renews me to fight and keep on going.




Before the Throne of God Above

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 heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

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 Saviour 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

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 Saviour and my God
With Christ, my Saviour and my God.