Concordia ‎#60

60. 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 One word from Thee, my Lord, one smile, one look,
And I could face the cold, rough world again;
And with that treasure in my heart could brook
The wrath of devils and the scorn of men.

4 And is not mercy Thy prerogative--
Free mercy boundless, fathomless, divine?
Me, Lord, the chief of sinners, me forgive,
And Thine the greater glory, only Thine.

5 I hear Thy voice; Thou bidst 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.

6 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.

Text Information

• First Line: Not worthy, Lord, to gather up the crumbs
• Title: Not Worthy, Lord, to Gather up the Crumbs
• Author: E. H. Bickersteth (1872)
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1918
• Topic: The Church and the Means of Grace: The Lord's Supper; Faith and Justification

Tune Information

• Name: EVENTIDE
• Composer: W. H. Monk (1861)
• Key: E♭ Major