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.

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.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
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!

Words by Charitie L. Bancroft, 1863- Public Domain
Lovely new tune by Vikki Cook of Sovereign Grace Ministries, ©1997

This evening I was reading an article and the ensuing discussion at Sharper Iron. Several people mentioned this hymn in passing. I want it for church! And I'll get it too. :) I love our hymnal, but it's so limited. You really need about 4-5 hymnals to cover all the good stuff that's out there, past and near present.......and even then you're limited! Thankfully there's CCLI, where you can post, publish, and print words out, which is what I'll have to do to get the congregation to learn this song.