Before the Throne of God Above

The Gospel is not merely the starting-block of a relationship with Christ. It is also the track on which we run the race, our sure and certain foundation on which we face the daily vagaries, blessings, and opportunities of life.

A song that explores this truth in theologically precise, poetically beautiful words is "Before the Throne of God Above" by Charitie Lees Smith.

I've posted these words before, but they are just too powerful to ever let them get far from memory.

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 with God 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,

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.