Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church ‎#184

184. Not worthy, Lord, to gather up the crumbs

1 Not worthy, Lord, to gather up the crumbs
With trembling hand, that from Thy table fall,
A weary, heavy-laden sinner comes
To plead Thy promise and obey Thy call.

2 I am not worthy to be thought Thy child,
Nor sit the last and lowest at Thy board;
Too long a wanderer, and too oft beguiled,
I only ask one reconciling word.

3 I hear Thy voice; Thou bid'st me come and rest;
I come, I kneel, I clasp Thy piercèd feet;
Thou bid'st me take my place, a welcome guest
Among Thy saints, and of Thy banquet eat.

4 My praise can only breathe itself in prayer,
My prayer can only lose itself in Thee;
Dwell Thou for ever in my heart, and there,
Lord, let me sup with Thee; sup Thou with me.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Not worthy, Lord, to gather up the crumbs
• Author: Edward Henry Bickersteth (1872)
• Meter: 10 10, 10 10
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1917
• Topic: The Holy Communion

Tune Information

• Name: REGNATOR ORBIS
• Meter: 10 10, 10 10
• Key: G Major
• Source: Adapted from a Melody in La Feillée Plain Chant, 1872