HYMN: As I Approach Your Altar, Lord

I find myself with a little bit of time on my hands at the moment. I do so like to be productive, but there’s not a lot I’m able to do as I deal with a foot issue. But the foot issue itself actually gave me just a tiny little spot of inspiration for a hymn text about Confession and Absolution. (If you look at the first verse—stanza, whatever—you’ll see that I talk about “faltering feet” that don’t walk the “narrow way” of Matthew 7:13-14. Yes, I know it’s the gate that is narrow; allow me some creative license here!)

Anyway, here’s the text. It’s fairly on-the-spot as far as Confession and Absolution go, but I didn’t think it needed much adornment. The tune, at least temporarily, is the tune for "Baptismal Waters Cover Me." Feedback is love. 

As I Approach Your Altar, Lord

1. As I approach Your altar, Lord,

On falt’ring feet that go astray, 

I kneel and cry to You alone

That I have left Your narrow way. 

2. I fail to love You as I should.

I fail to love as You love me. 

I fail to be the helpful good

My righteous God demands I be. 

3. My words are hurtful, petty, mean. 

My thoughts are selfish, turned within. 

My every deed is foul, unclean,

And ev’ry breath is stained with sin. 

4. Your holy Word declares my shame. 

In truth, Lord, I deserve to die. 

Oh, hear me as I call Your name. 

Give ear, my Savior, to my cry. 

5. I lay my sins before my Lord,

I speak, and You who bore each one

Declare to me in mighty Word

That all my guilt and shame is gone!

6. For You who died upon the tree

Have taken all my sins away. 

My bonds are loosed and I am free!

My debt of sin You did repay. 

7. My conscience clean, my soul is healed. 

My pastor speaks, and You forgive,

For You, God's perfect grace revealed,

Speak sweet forgiveness, and I live. 

8. I thank You, Christ, for comfort sweet. 

I sing the triumph You did win. 

Receive my praise for grace complete, 

For love which covers all my sin. 

LM (88 88)

GOTTLOB, ES GEHT NUNMEHR ZU ENDE (LSB 616)

Confession and Absolution