"PASS ME NOT, O GENTLE SAVIOR"
1. Pass me not, O gentle Savior, Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.
2. Let me at Thy throne of mercy Find a sweet relief,
Kneeling there in deep contrition; Help my unbelief.
3. Trusting only in Thy merit, Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit, Save me by Thy grace.
4. Thou the Spring of all my comfort, More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee? Whom in Heav'n but Thee?
Refrain: Savior, Savior, Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.
www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/a/passment.htm
COMMENTS:
First, it appears that this song is a plea to be saved (verse 3 in particular). As we sing songs in worship and we are often encouraged to "sing like we mean it", are we asking God to save us? - again? If we assume that most, if not all, in attendance are already believers, having been truly born again, God has already sent His Comforter to ABIDE with us (indwell us) - he can't pass us by if He already resides within.
The second issue is the methodology implied in the song. Does God come-a-callin'? and he picks one for salvation, and he picks another for healing, and if we humble ourselves and say pick me, pick me, don't pass me by.. then we have a shot at being picked? Is that how the Gospel call works? Not so!
By the way, I greatly appreciate the last verse (verse 4 - see below) (but without the refrain)
Also, by the way, Fanny Crosby has written many other songs - and some are very fine songs!
1. Pass me not, O gentle Savior, Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.
2. Let me at Thy throne of mercy Find a sweet relief,
Kneeling there in deep contrition; Help my unbelief.
3. Trusting only in Thy merit, Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit, Save me by Thy grace.
4. Thou the Spring of all my comfort, More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee? Whom in Heav'n but Thee?
Refrain: Savior, Savior, Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.
www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/a/passment.htm
COMMENTS:
First, it appears that this song is a plea to be saved (verse 3 in particular). As we sing songs in worship and we are often encouraged to "sing like we mean it", are we asking God to save us? - again? If we assume that most, if not all, in attendance are already believers, having been truly born again, God has already sent His Comforter to ABIDE with us (indwell us) - he can't pass us by if He already resides within.
The second issue is the methodology implied in the song. Does God come-a-callin'? and he picks one for salvation, and he picks another for healing, and if we humble ourselves and say pick me, pick me, don't pass me by.. then we have a shot at being picked? Is that how the Gospel call works? Not so!
By the way, I greatly appreciate the last verse (verse 4 - see below) (but without the refrain)
Also, by the way, Fanny Crosby has written many other songs - and some are very fine songs!