Tomorrow, I’ll be providing ceremony music for a beautiful bride and groom as they come before “God and these people” to make their vows to one another.  One of the songs they have requested is this favorite hymn of mine, “Before the Throne of God Above.”  I have written out the words below.  The Selah version was my first introduction to the song, and it remains a favorite.

As we all head into the weekend, I hope this hymn will heighten your inner eyes to see how much God loves you, how powerfully He works on your behalf, and how significant it is that as Christians, we are united with Christ.

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 Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free!
For God, the just, was 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 Savior and my God.
With Christ, my Savior and my God!