Before the Throne of God Above

This is a song you should know.   There are some studio versions available to listen to on YouTube; it’s been recorded by Shane & Shane, Selah, and it appears on the Top 25 Praise CD for 2007.   I was going to post the version from the T4G conference that’s online, but the overly exuberant worship leader really knows how to ruin the moment!   So I went back to this one.

The person who posted this annotated it this way:  “Some of the most profound, powerful and spiritually freeing lyrics I’ve ever heard. Thanks to Selah for putting their own arrangement to these classic lines.”  I associate the piece with Sovereign Grace Music, but the words were written by Charitie Bancroft in 1863.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a 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 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

Behold him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
The King of glory and of grace!

One in 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