Selah - Before The Throne of God Above Lyrics
Lyrics
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and 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 Heaven He stands,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upwards I look and see Him there
Who made an end to 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,
To look on Him and pardon me.
Behold Him there, the risen Lamb;
My perfect spotless Righteousness,
The great unchanging all I Am,
The King of glory and of grace.
One with Himself, 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,
With Christ, my Savior and my God.
One with Himself, 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,
With Christ, my Savior and my God.
Video
Before The Throne Of God Above
Meaning & Inspiration
Selah's "Before The Throne of God Above," released on May 25, 2004, as part of their album "Hiding Place," stands as a powerful anthem of spiritual assurance and theological depth. This song transcends mere musical performance, delivering a profound declaration of Christ's finished work and the believer's secure standing before a holy God. It immediately invites contemplation on the core tenets of Christian faith, grounding its message in unwavering Scriptural truth and offering immense comfort to anyone grappling with doubts or fears about their salvation.
The initial verses introduce a "strong and perfect Plea" made on behalf of the believer by a "great high priest whose name is Love." This powerful imagery directly echoes the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus Christ as our ultimate intercessor. Hebrews 4:14-16 assures us that we have a great high priest, Jesus, who has passed through the heavens and is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, inviting us to draw near to the throne of grace with confidence. Furthermore, Romans 8:34 states that Christ Jesus, who died and was raised, is at the right hand of God and is interceding for us. This continuous advocacy by Love personified means that the plea for our redemption and acceptance is eternally active and undeniably effective.
The song then delves into the deeply personal and secure identification of the believer with Christ, declaring, "My name is graven on His hands, My name is written on His heart." This evokes the tender and permanent inscription of God's people on His very being, a concept reminiscent of Isaiah 49:16 where God declares, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." This divine tattoo signifies an unbreakable bond and an unwavering commitment. While Christ stands in Heaven, presenting His perfect sacrifice, no opposing force, no "tongue can bid me thence depart," emphasizing the eternal security promised in John 10:28-29, where Jesus assures us that no one can snatch His sheep out of His hand or His Father’s hand.
When the enemy, Satan, launches accusations and attempts to instill despair by highlighting "the guilt within," the song directs our gaze upwards. The solution lies in looking to Christ "Who made an end to all my sin." This perspective shift from inward failing to upward hope is foundational to Christian living. Romans 8:1 categorically states, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Christ's atoning work on the cross, as detailed in Colossians 2:13-14, effectively blotted out the record of debt that stood against us, nailing it to the cross and triumphing over every hostile power. His singular sacrifice forever settled the sin issue.
The theological heart of the song resonates in the lines, "Because the sinless Savior died, My sinful soul is counted free, For God the Just is satisfied To look on Him and pardon me." This succinctly captures the doctrine of justification by faith. God, being perfectly just, cannot overlook sin, but in His mercy, He provided a substitute. Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21), allowing God's righteous wrath against sin to be fully satisfied by His Son's perfect sacrifice. Therefore, when God looks upon a believer, He sees the righteousness of Christ imputed to them, granting pardon and declaring them righteous in His sight (Romans 5:8-9, 1 Peter 3:18).
Further exalting Christ, the song proclaims, "Behold Him there, the risen Lamb; My perfect spotless Righteousness, The great unchanging all I Am, The King of glory and of grace." This celebrates Jesus not only as the sacrifice but as the victor over death, the "risen Lamb" of Revelation. He is the very essence of our righteousness, an identity gifted to us that is "perfect spotless." This aligns with 1 Corinthians 1:30, which tells us Christ Jesus has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. His nature as the "unchanging all I Am" connects Him to the eternal, self-existent God (Exodus 3:14), affirming His deity and unchanging character as the benevolent "King of glory and of grace" (John 1:14).
The profound truth of spiritual union with Christ culminates in the declaration, "One with Himself, 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." This verse offers the pinnacle of assurance. Through Christ's atoning blood, a believer's soul has been bought, redeemed from the dominion of sin and death (1 Peter 1:18-19). Our spiritual life is inextricably bound with His resurrected life, hidden safely "with Christ on high," as Colossians 3:3 affirms: "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." This indissoluble union guarantees eternal life, for as Jesus lives, so too shall His followers live (John 14:19). The song concludes by affirming Christ's dual role as both Savior and God, solidifying the divine authority and redemptive power upon which all these truths rest.
"Before The Throne of God Above" is more than a composition; it's a theological masterpiece that meticulously unpacks the believer's secure identity and standing in Christ. Its timeless truths, deeply rooted in Scripture, serve as a constant wellspring of hope, peace, and spiritual strength. For anyone seeking to anchor their faith in the finished work of Jesus, this song provides a compelling and inspiring declaration, reminding us that our salvation is not dependent on our fluctuating performance, but on the unshakeable perfection of our High Priest, Savior, and God. It stands as a beacon of comfort and a robust testament to the eternal faithfulness of God.