Before the Throne of God Above by Charitie Lees Bancroft, 1863.

Vs. 1

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 heav’n he stands, no tongue can bid me thence depart, 
no tongue can bid me thence depart.

Observe: With awe, the Psalmist writes, Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. (Psalm 97:2, ESV).

How can one approach a God enthroned on righteousness and justice? Who would dare approach a God who has the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald (surrounded by) twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. (From which come) flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind:” (Revelation 4:2–6, ESV).

What mortal creature can approach? None save the one who, through a great High Priest, has a strong and perfect plea. “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” (Hebrews 4:14). Secure in our great high priest’s plea for us, no “tongue can bid me thence depart” for “There is…no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1).

Guilt is the tool Satan tries to use against us. Verse 2 provides a sure answer. You, who once were alienated (from God, Jesus) has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,” (Colossians 1:21–22). Jesus’ work of behalf of all who believe enables us to sing, “because the sinless Savior died,
my sinful soul is counted free; for God, the just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me.”

These assurances lead us to Verse 3, our continual song to the Spirit preserved hope we have in Christ. 

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.

Blessings,

Pastor Don