Come Ye Sinners (Smith)
- Text:
- Joseph Hart
- Music:
- Matthew S. Smith
1. Come, ye sinners, poor and wretched,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus, ready, stands to save you,
Full of pity, joined with power.
He is able, He is able;
He is willing; doubt no more.
2. Come ye needy, come, and welcome,
God's free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh.
Without money, without money
Come to Jesus Christ and buy.
3. Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Bruised and broken by the fall;
If you tarry 'til you're better,
You will never come at all.
Not the righteous, not the righteous;
Sinners Jesus came to call.
4. Let not conscience make you linger,
Nor of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requires
Is to feel your need of Him.
This He gives you, this He gives you,
'Tis the Spirit's rising beam.
5. Lo! The Incarnate God, ascended;
Pleads the merit of His blood.
Venture on Him; venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude.
None but Jesus, none but Jesus
Can do helpless sinners good.
©2000, detuned radio music (ASCAP).Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Reflection
Many have sung this hymn with a "floating chorus" added to the verses which begins "I will rise and go to Jesus." This version, which comes from the mid-19th century 2nd Great Awakening revival movement, eliminates the 2nd half of every verse of the original text as written by Joseph Hart. As Hart wrote the text, the hymn proclaims that what the law demands, the gospel gives us as a free gift. It is reminiscent of the 18th century couplet by John Berridge, "Run and work, the law demands, but gives me neither feet nor hands. A sweeter sound the gospel bring, it bides me fly and gives me wings." This was the theology of the 1st Great Awakening. The theology of the 2nd Great Awakening was more man-centered and the revised version (still sung in many Baptist churches today) reflects this theological change. Indelible Grace Music is committed to the theology of the original text as a wonderful summary of the gospel of grace.
