Fountainview Academy - Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior Lyrics
Lyrics
Pass me not, oh gentle Savior
Hear my humble cry
While on others Thou art calling
Do not pass me by
I'm calling Savior, Savior
Hear my humble cry
While on others Thou art calling
Do not pass me by
Let me at Thy throne of mercy
I find a sweet relief
Kneeling there in deep contrition
Help my unbelief
I'm calling Savior, Savior
Why don't You hear my humble cry?
While on others Thou art calling
Do not pass me by
Trusting only in Thy merit
Oh would I, would I seek Thy face
Oh heal my wounded, broken spirit
Save me by Thy grace
I'm crying Savior, Savior
Why don't You hear my humble cry?
While on others Thou art calling
Do not pass me by
Video
Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior | God So Loved The World | Fountainview Academy
Meaning & Inspiration
Fountainview Academy's rendition of "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior," released on April 10, 2017, offers a profound and moving interpretation of a revered hymn, delving deeply into the raw human need for divine mercy and personal redemption. Originally penned by the prolific Fanny Crosby, a woman whose own life, marked by blindness, was a testament to unwavering faith, this song is a direct and intimate conversation with the Divine. It embodies a universal spiritual longing, articulating the soul's desperate call to be seen and heard by God amidst the bustling, often overwhelming, expanse of life. The core meaning revolves around a humble acknowledgement of sin and unworthiness, coupled with an insistent faith that God’s grace is sufficient and accessible to all who earnestly seek it, especially when one feels overlooked or undeserving.
The opening lines, "Pass me not, oh gentle Savior, hear my humble cry," establish an immediate and vulnerable plea. This is not a demand but a sincere, almost childlike, request for attention from a loving God. It resonates with countless biblical narratives where individuals, often on the fringes of society or despair, cried out for Jesus's notice – from the blind beggar Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52, whose persistent shouts reached the Savior, to the Syrophoenician woman in Matthew 15:21-28, who humbly persisted for her daughter’s healing. The added lament, "While on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by," speaks to a deeply human fear of isolation and being forgotten. It reflects a desire for a personal encounter with the Lord, acknowledging His broad reach but yearning for His specific, individual touch, mirroring the shepherd’s concern for a single lost sheep in Luke 15:3-7, or God’s intricate knowledge of each person, as described in Psalm 139:1-4.
The spiritual journey continues with a longing to be at "Thy throne of mercy," finding "sweet relief" through "deep contrition." This verse paints a vivid picture of repentance and humble surrender. The "throne of mercy" directly references Hebrews 4:16, inviting us to approach God's throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. The act of "kneeling there in deep contrition" signifies genuine remorse and a broken spirit, a state that God does not despise, as articulated in Psalm 51:17. Critically, the appeal "Help my unbelief" is a direct echo of the father’s desperate, honest confession in Mark 9:24, acknowledging the struggle between faith and doubt that often accompanies our spiritual walk. It’s a profound recognition that even faith itself is a gift from God, and we need divine assistance to fully embrace it.
Further into the song, the emphasis shifts to complete dependence: "Trusting only in Thy merit." This powerfully underscores the Christian doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice, not through human works or worthiness (Ephesians 2:8-9). The yearning to "seek Thy face" speaks to a deep, intimate desire for communion with God, akin to David's longing in Psalm 27:8. The subsequent plea, "Oh heal my wounded, broken spirit, save me by Thy grace," is a desperate cry for holistic restoration. It recognizes the spiritual and emotional wounds we carry, appealing to the Lord as the ultimate Healer, who binds up the brokenhearted and comforts those who mourn, as promised in Isaiah 61:1 and Psalm 147:3. The repeated cry of "Savior, Savior, why don't You hear my humble cry?" especially in later verses, transforms the initial plea into a more intense, almost agonized questioning. This is not a challenge to God’s existence or power, but an honest expression of human anguish and the perceived silence of God during moments of intense need, a lament frequently found within the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 22 or Psalm 13). It reflects a raw, authentic faith that dares to voice its pain, yet continues to trust that the answer will come.
Ultimately, Fountainview Academy's presentation of "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior" serves as a timeless spiritual anchor. It is a powerful reminder that the Lord is perpetually calling, and our personal response, no matter how imperfect or questioning, is always welcomed at His throne of mercy. This rendition encourages a posture of profound humility, unwavering trust in God’s grace, and an honest expression of our deepest needs and even our spiritual struggles. It reminds us that salvation is a personal encounter, an intimate call and response between a gentle Savior and a seeking soul, reassuring all who approach that they will never be passed by.