Lyrics
Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.
He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.
Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
Forgive him, O forgive, they cry,
Forgive him, O forgive, they cry,
Nor let that ransomed sinner die!
The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.
My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And Father, Abba, Father, cry.
Song History & Meaning
Composer / Hymnodist: Charles Wesley
How often do we let guilt whisper that we are unwelcome in God’s presence? This classic hymn calls our hearts to look away from our shortcomings and gaze upon Jesus, our risen Savior and heavenly advocate. Because His nail-scarred hands bear our names and His precious blood speaks for us, we can stand before the Father with quiet confidence. Today, lay down your heavy fears and step boldly into the warmth of His unshakeable grace.
📖 Related Scripture Passages:
- Hebrews 7:25: “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to make intercession for them.”
- 1 John 2:1: “My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.”
- Romans 5:8-9: “But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from wrath through him.”