Scripture Verse

We have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God. Hebrews 4:14

Introduction

Words: James Ham­il­ton, in the Peo­ple’s Hym­nal, 1867.

Music: Lux Mun­di (Sul­li­van) Ar­thur S. Sul­li­van, 1872 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

  • Need ano­ny­mous, in The Hym­nal of the Pro­test­ant Epis­co­pal Church (New York: James Pott, 1916), num­ber 131 (🔊 pdf nwc)

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Ham­il­ton (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Arthur S. Sullivan (1842–1900)

Lyrics

O Je­sus, Lord most merciful,
Low at Thy cross I lie;
O sinner’s friend, most pitiful,
Hear my bewailing cry.
I come to Thee with mourning,
I come to Thee in woe;
With contrite heart returning,
And tears that overflow.

O gracious intercessor,
O priest within the veil,
Plead, for a lost transgressor,
The blood that cannot fail.
I spread my sins before Thee,
I tell them one by one;
O for Thy name’s great glo­ry,
Forgive all I have done.

O by Thy cross and passion,
Thy tears and agony,
And crown of cruel fashion,
And death on Cal­va­ry;
By all that untold suffering
Endured by Thee alone;
O priest, O spotless offering,
Plead for me, and atone.

And in this heart now broken,
Re-enter Thou and reign;
And say, by that dear token,
I am absolved again;
And build me up, and guide me,
And guard me day by day;
And in Thy presence hide me,
And keep my soul alway.