I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat.
Exodus 25:22
Words: John Newton, Olney Hymns (London: W. Oliver, 1779), Book 3, number 12. The effort—in another measure.
Music: Ballerma François H. Barthélémon (1741–1808), adapted by Robert Simpson in A Selection of Original Sacred Music, 1833 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tunes:
If you know where to get a good picture of Simpson (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels), or a better one of Barthélémon,
Approach, my soul, the mercy seat,
Where Jesus answers prayer;
There humbly fall before His feet,
For none can perish there.
Thy promise is my only plea,
With this I venture nigh;
Thou callest burdened souls to Thee,
And such, O Lord, am I.
Bowed down beneath a load of sin,
By Satan sorely pressed,
By war without and fears within,
I come to Thee for rest.
Be Thou my shield and hiding place,
That, sheltered by Thy side,
I may my fierce accuser face,
And tell him Thou hast died!
O wondrous love! to bleed and die,
To bear the cross and shame,
That guilty sinners, such as I,
Might plead Thy gracious name.
Poor tempest tossèd soul, be still;
;
My promised grace receive
’Tis Jesus speaks—I must, I will,
I can, I do believe.