Approach, my soul, the mercy-seat

June 16

Approach, my soul, the mercy-seat,
Where Jesus answers prayer;
There humbly fall before His feet,
For none can perish there.

Thy promise is my only plea,
With this I venture nigh;
Thou callest burdened souls to Thee:
And such, O Lord, am I.

Bowed down beneath a load of sin,
By Satan sorely pressed,
By wars without and fears within,
I come to Thee for rest.

Be Thou my Shield and Hiding place,
That, sheltered near Thy side,
I may my fierce accuser face,
And tell him, Thou hast died!

O wondrous Love, to bleed and die,
To bear the Cross and shame,
That guilty sinners such as I
Might plead Thy gracious Name!
     John Newton