"O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel befor the Lord our maker" (Psa. 95.6).

INTRO.: A hymn which talks about our coming before the Lord in worship and prayer is "Lord, We Come Before Thee Now" (#68 in "Hymns for Worship Revised"). The text was written by William Hammond (1719-1783). Originally in eight stanzas, it was first published in his "Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs" of 1745. Later it was reduced and amended in "A Collection of Psalms and Hymns" of 1760 by the editor, Martin Madan (1726-1790).

The tune (Hendon) was composed by Henri Abraham Cesar Malan (1787-1864). A native of Geneva, Switzerland, he became a preacher first with the National Reformed Church of Switzerland, and then with his own independent chapel at Vandouvres. This melody may have been produced as early as 1823 and seems to have been first published in 1827. It was brought to America, arranged, and published in the 1841 "Carmina Sacra" by Lowell Mason (1792-1872).

This hymn mentions several things asociated with our coming before the Lord.

I. In stanza 1, we ask God not to disdain our suit so that our seeking Him is not in vain

A. God will disdain the prayers of those whose lives are evil: 1 Pet. 3.12

B. Also, He'll disdain those prayers which are purely selfish in nature: Jas. 4.1-3

C. However, if we live in harmony with God's word and ask according to His will, we can be thankful that He has promised to hear and answer our prayers: Matt. 7.7-8

II. In stanza 2, we express our total reliance and trust in God

A. Some people trust in the things of this world: Matt. 116.26

B. Others trust in themselves: Prov. 3.5

C. But Goid's people must learn to depend solely upon Him: Psa. 20.7

III. In stanza 3 we seek God's blessings on us and on all mankind

A. Our God has provided for all the physical needs of mankind on earth: Jas. 1.18

B. In addition, He has provided for all our spiritual needs in Christ: Eph. 1.3

C. It shouild be our desire that everyone would seek the Lord so that each one could come before Him with rejoicing: Acts 17.24-27

CONCL.: There is a general sense in which everyone is always in the Lord's presence. But when Christians assemble for worship or approach God in prayer, there is a special sense in which we come into His presence. This song helps us to focus our minds upon the things that are most important at such times, as we say, "Lord, We Come Before Thee Now."