Before Thy Throne I Now Appear

1 Before Thy throne I now appear,
O Lord, bow down Thy gracious ear
To me and cast not from Thy face
Thy sinful child that begs for grace.

2 Thou, Father of eternity,
Thine image hast impressed on me.
In Thee I am and live and move
Nor can exist without Thy love.

3 Thou hast redeemed me, Son of God,
Hast shed for me Thy precious blood,
The Law for my sake hast fulfilled,
And thus Thy Father's wrath hast stilled.

4 Thou art my Advocate for aye,
My Savior, Comfort, and my Stay.
Thine all-sufficient merit is
On earth my peace, in heav'n my bliss.

5 God Holy Spirit, Pow'r Divine,
Thou workest in this heart of mine;
Naught can be counted good in me
But what proceeds alone from Thee.

6 Through Thee I now my God adore
And call Him Father evermore;
Through Thee His Word and Sacrament
I love and hold till life is spent.

7 Grant that in peace I close mine eyes,
But on the Last Day bid me rise
And let me see Thy face fore'er--
Amen, Amen, Lord, hear my prayer!

Source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #564

• MIDI file from Psalmodia Germanica: or, The German Psalmody: translated from the high Dutch together with their proper tunes and thorough bass (2nd ed., corr. and enl.) #171