Gathered round Thyself, Lord Jesus

1
Gathered round Thyself, Lord Jesus,
  We now seek Thy face;
May we know Thy presence with us,
    Lord of grace!
2
Love divine first drew us to Thee,
  In our sin and need;
For our sin, in deep compassion,
    Thou didst bleed.
3
Risen Lord, in glory seated,
  We are one with Thee;
Thou hast snapt the chains that bound us,
    We are free.
4
Gratefully we Thee remember
  As we break the bread,
Symbol of Thy body given
    In our stead.
5
Drink we too “the cup of blessing”
  Which Thy love has filled;
Through Thy blood we have redemption
    Fears are stilled.
6
Backward look we, drawn to Calv’ry,
  Musing while we sing;
Forward haste we to Thy coming,
    Lord and King!
3
Jim

Mansfield, Ohio, United States

My previous note was not correct about the cross, His cup of suffering. Is mentioned in verse 6. “Look to the cross and haste His coming. The cross is connected to the Lord’s return and our kingdom reward. If we grow we will hasten His return. Peter wanted to sit next to Christ on the throne and share in His reigning. The Lord asked him if he was willing to drink the cup He drank. Then He said you will drink it. No cross, no suffering for The gospel’s sake, no reward and no growth of life. No one wants to hear this. Maybe there is a remnant?


Jim

Mansfield, Ohio, United States

How wonderful to gather round your table this morning, We must lose sight of all but thee. We drink the cup of blessing and eat the bread of life. We can experience His blood and be satisfied with Him the bread and enjoy His ressurection and His presence. We can be satisfied with this blessing but if we never drink the cup of His suffering we will not gain more of Him. The Lord asked Peter if he was willing to take the cup He took. Are we willing? Without this cup there is no kingdom reward. Sorry not all of this is in the hymn.


Steve Miller

Detroit, Michigan, United States

See hymn "As gathered in Thy precious name" #218 for a comment by this hymn author's great granddaughter.