Doctrine & Doxology: Before the Throne of God Above

It's the era of firsts on this blog- and today, I have for you the first issue of Doctrine & Doxology, my very own section on this blog dedicated to exploring the story, history, and doctrine of old hymns.

Today, we're looking at one of my favorites: Before the Throne.

Have you ever been mindlessly browsing spotify or youtube or whatever, zoning out while you scroll through music, and then suddenly one song leaps out at you and drags you into its death grip?

That's me with this song. It's taken possession of my soul and won't let go, and I'm convinced it will always be my favorite hymn from now until eternity. I'll probably be singing this at the feet of God's throne in heaven one day, and I am thrilled about it- why would I try to escape the chokehold this song has on me?

History

Before the Throne of God Above was written by Charitie Lees Smith in 1863, and was originally published under the name "Within the Veils of Jesus". The hymn focuses on the wonder, and complete mystery that somehow we are granted the gift of salvation, and it's for this reason that I find the original title somehow even more fitting.

The imagery of the phrase "within the veils of Jesus" is striking. It brings to mind the picture of a child hiding from her biggest fears, and shrouded into safety by none other than her heavenly father.

I find that so beautiful, because that is what Christ does for us. He hides us beneath his wings (psalm 91:4) and shields us from any danger that threatens us.

As a kid, I was afraid of the dark. Straight up terrified, actually. I would beg my younger siblings to come with me any time I had to go into a room where the lights weren't on, and I would come up with all these crazy stunts to avoid having to walk through a dark room after I turned the lights off. I was especially scared of the dark in our bathroom.

The way our house was set up meant that at night, if the bathroom door was open, I would have to walk right past a yawning mouth of darkness to reach my bedroom. It was the darkest dark I had ever seen and I hated it.

So each night I would coax my dad into carrying me upstairs. I never felt afraid when he held me.

Because in my mind, he was sheltering me from whatever horrors lived in the bathroom. Shrouding me, in other words.

In reading over this hymn, I realized that that is exactly what Christ does for us.

We face so much bigger dangers than a dark bathroom in this world, and Christ holds us close through it all, giving us passage through it all.

And wonder of all wonders, He died to save us.

Charitie Lees Smith didn't write a melody for this hymn. For years it was sung to various tunes, but the tune you'll hear commonly today was written in 1997 by Vikki Cook, a songwriter for Sovereign Grace music.

It's one I would love to hear more of in our churches today. ♥

Doctrine:

There is so much rich and deep theology in this hymn, but the main focus is centered on the security we have in Christ's saving blood.

Security in my salvation is something that I have always struggled with. I never once doubted the gospel, and I believed with all my heart that Jesus is the Messiah. But I did wonder if I had really placed my faith in Christ. What if I just thought I had? What if I wasn't really saved at all?

Paul wrote to people like me in Romans 10:9-13: "If you confess with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. For the scripture says, 'everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.' Since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

And that, dear friends, is the crux of the gospel.

Truly, it is good news.

It's news we should sing and cry out with every last breath we have. How can we be silent about it?

And the beauty of it all is that Christ hides us with His blood, and we are secure in Him forever. No one can ever snatch us out of His hand, and so I will bow before Him and worship Him forever and ever.

As you read over these lyrics, I pray that you will be strengthened and encouraged in your faith, reader. Be brave. Your debt has already been paid, and the Great High Priest is sitting at the hand of the Father, having already won the battle. ♥

"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 Heaven He stands, no tongue can bid me thence depart.

No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair, and tells me of the guilt within

Upwards I look and see Him there, who made an end to 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.

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.

To follow along and listen to the hymns we'll be covering in this series, including two of my favorite adaptations of "Before the Throne", check out the official spotify playlist for Doctrine & Doxology.