Omhawoe Potsow Vantsü Mhadüngo|| Lotha song Hymn|| Before The Throne Of God Above

History:
This song has an interesting story - so let’s begin with looking at the text. The lyrics of Before the Throne of God Above were written in Ireland by a woman named Charitie Lees Bancroft (1841-1923) originally introduced under the title of The Advocate in 1863. These powerful words were published in The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book, for Public Worship in 1871, and were also included in Charles Spurgeon’s Our Own Hymn Book in 1884. The hymn briefly rose in popularity during the 1870s then lay near dormant for almost 100 years until it began getting published again in hymnals around 1970. The original text was most often paired with traditional hymn tunes that worked well with long meter like SWEET HOUR (“Sweet Hour of Prayer”).
It’s most recent revival came when Vikki Cook of Sovereign Grace Worship, wrote a new tune for this text in 1997. This new version was made popular from recordings by Sovereign Grace Music (featuring Kristyn Getty), as well as being included on Shane and Shane’s 2009 album release Pages. Sovereign Grace maintains the original strophic form while Shane and Shane add an additional stanza of “Alleluia, Alleluia, Praise the One Risen Son of God” after the last verse. The tune written by Cook is beautiful and easily grasped by today’s congregations. If you decide to do the Shane and Shane version, be prepared for a much wider vocal range and less participation from your congregation.
Theology:
Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV)
14 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.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
English lyrics:
1 Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a 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 heaven he stands
no tongue can bid me thence depart,
no tongue can bid me thence depart.
2 When Satan tempts me to despair
and tells me of the guilt within,
upward I look, and see him there
who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
my sinful soul is counted free;
for God the Just is satisfied
to look on him and pardon me,
to look on him and pardon me.
3 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.