No Not Despairingly Come I To Thee
Verse 1
No, not despairingly Come I to Thee; No, not distrustingly Bend I the knee: Sin hath gone over me, Yet is this still my plea: Jesus hath died.
Verse 2
Ah! mine iniquity Crimson hath been, Infinite, infinite, Sin upon sin: Sin of not loving Thee, Sin of not trusting Thee, Infinite sin.
Verse 3
Lord, I confess to Thee Sadly my sin; All I am tell with Thee, All I have been: Purge Thou my sin away, Wash Thou my soul this day; Lord, make me clean.
Verse 4
Faithful and just art Thou, Forgiving all; Loving and kind art Thou When poor ones call: Lord, let the cleansing blood, Blood of the Lamb of God, Pass o’er my soul.
Verse 5
Then all is peace and light This soul within; Thus shall I walk with Thee, The loved Unseen; Leaning on Thee, my God, Guided along the road, Nothing between.
Background: No Not Despairingly Come I To Thee
The hymn "No, Not Despairingly Come I to Thee" is a powerful expression of confession, repentance, and hope, rooted in the mercy of God. Here's a look at its history, broken down for easy reading:
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## The History of "No, Not Despairingly Come I to Thee"
This beloved hymn combines the heartfelt words of a Scottish minister with a solemn and enduring American tune.
1. The Author of the Lyrics: Horatius Bonar (1843) * **Who:** The lyrics were written by **Horatius Bonar** (1808-1889), a prominent Scottish minister and one of the most prolific hymn writers of the 19th century. He was associated with the Free Church of Scotland and penned over 600 hymns during his lifetime. * **When:** Bonar wrote these words around **1843**. They were first published in his collection "The Bible Hymn-Book" in **1845**. * **The Message:** Bonar's hymn is a sincere confession of sin and an appeal for God's mercy, particularly in the context of Holy Communion (the Eucharist). * The opening line, "No, Not Despairingly Come I to Thee," sets the tone. It acknowledges the weight of sin but simultaneously expresses a profound hope and trust in God's grace, rather than utter despair. * The hymn speaks of coming to Christ with "grief and shame," but also with "trusting faith," relying completely on Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for forgiveness and redemption. * **Context:** Many of Bonar's hymns were written for use in worship services, reflecting deep theological truths and personal devotion. This hymn perfectly captures the balance between acknowledging one's unworthiness and embracing God's boundless love and forgiveness.
2. The Composer of the Tune: Lowell Mason (1830) * **The Tune:** The lyrics are most commonly sung to the tune named **"HEBRON"** (sometimes also known as "LABAN"). * **Who:** This tune was composed by **Lowell Mason** (1792-1872), a hugely influential American music educator and composer. Mason is often called the "father of American public school music" and significantly shaped congregational singing in the United States. * **When:** Mason composed the "HEBRON" tune in **1830**, more than a decade *before* Bonar wrote his lyrics. It was published in Mason's 1830 collection, "The Modern Psalmist." * **Its Character:** "HEBRON" is known for its solemn, dignified, and somewhat flowing melody, which perfectly complements the serious yet hopeful tone of Bonar's words.
3. The Uniting of Words and Music * Like many popular hymns, the pairing of Bonar's lyrics with Mason's tune was not necessarily immediate but became the standard and most beloved combination over time. * The marriage of Bonar's profound, confessional text with Mason's meditative tune creates a deeply moving and enduring hymn that continues to resonate with believers across denominations.
4. Enduring Legacy "No, Not Despairingly Come I to Thee" remains a cherished hymn in many Christian traditions, especially during services of communion, confession, or any time of personal reflection on God's grace and forgiveness. Its honesty about human sinfulness, coupled with its unwavering hope in divine mercy, ensures its place as a powerful expression of Christian faith.
1. The Author of the Lyrics: Horatius Bonar (1843) * **Who:** The lyrics were written by **Horatius Bonar** (1808-1889), a prominent Scottish minister and one of the most prolific hymn writers of the 19th century. He was associated with the Free Church of Scotland and penned over 600 hymns during his lifetime. * **When:** Bonar wrote these words around **1843**. They were first published in his collection "The Bible Hymn-Book" in **1845**. * **The Message:** Bonar's hymn is a sincere confession of sin and an appeal for God's mercy, particularly in the context of Holy Communion (the Eucharist). * The opening line, "No, Not Despairingly Come I to Thee," sets the tone. It acknowledges the weight of sin but simultaneously expresses a profound hope and trust in God's grace, rather than utter despair. * The hymn speaks of coming to Christ with "grief and shame," but also with "trusting faith," relying completely on Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for forgiveness and redemption. * **Context:** Many of Bonar's hymns were written for use in worship services, reflecting deep theological truths and personal devotion. This hymn perfectly captures the balance between acknowledging one's unworthiness and embracing God's boundless love and forgiveness.
2. The Composer of the Tune: Lowell Mason (1830) * **The Tune:** The lyrics are most commonly sung to the tune named **"HEBRON"** (sometimes also known as "LABAN"). * **Who:** This tune was composed by **Lowell Mason** (1792-1872), a hugely influential American music educator and composer. Mason is often called the "father of American public school music" and significantly shaped congregational singing in the United States. * **When:** Mason composed the "HEBRON" tune in **1830**, more than a decade *before* Bonar wrote his lyrics. It was published in Mason's 1830 collection, "The Modern Psalmist." * **Its Character:** "HEBRON" is known for its solemn, dignified, and somewhat flowing melody, which perfectly complements the serious yet hopeful tone of Bonar's words.
3. The Uniting of Words and Music * Like many popular hymns, the pairing of Bonar's lyrics with Mason's tune was not necessarily immediate but became the standard and most beloved combination over time. * The marriage of Bonar's profound, confessional text with Mason's meditative tune creates a deeply moving and enduring hymn that continues to resonate with believers across denominations.
4. Enduring Legacy "No, Not Despairingly Come I to Thee" remains a cherished hymn in many Christian traditions, especially during services of communion, confession, or any time of personal reflection on God's grace and forgiveness. Its honesty about human sinfulness, coupled with its unwavering hope in divine mercy, ensures its place as a powerful expression of Christian faith.
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