LSB #574 "Before the Throne of God Above"

Biblical citations in the hymnal:  Hebrews 4:14-5:10, 7:24-8:2; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 7:9-14 

Hebrews 4:14-5:10:  "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.

"1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.  2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.  3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.  4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

"5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, 'You are my Son, today I have begotten you'; 6 as he says also in another place, 'You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.'

"7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with louds cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.  8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.  9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek."

Hebrews 7:24-8:2:  "24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.  25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

"26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.  27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.  28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

"1 Now the point in what we are saying is this:  we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man."

1 Peter 1:18-19:  "18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."

Revelation 7:9-14:  "9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'  11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, 'Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.'

"13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, 'Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?'  14 I said to him, 'Sir, you know.'  And he said to me, 'These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation.  They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

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The text is public domain:

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 heav'n He stands

No tongue can bid me thence depart.

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.

Behold Him there! The risen Lamb!

My perfect, spotless righteousness,

The great unchangeable I AM,

The King of glory and of grace!

At one with Him, 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.

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Most of the hymn comes from the two passages from Hebrews.  Basically, the first and second verses come from Hebrews 4:14-5:10, and the third and fourth verses from 7:24-8:2.  "My name is graven on His hands" in the second verse, however, comes from Isaiah 49:16:  "Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me."

The fifth verse comes mostly from Revelation 7:9-14, although "The risen Lamb! / My perfect, spotless righteousness" also seems to reference 1 Peter 1:18-19, and "The great unchangeable I AM" is from Exodus 3:14:  "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.'  And he said, 'Say this to the people of Israel, "I AM has sent me to you."'"

1 Peter 1:18-19 also appears in the line "My soul is purchased by His blood" in the last verse.