Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Words: Robert Robinson (b. Sept. 27, 1735; d. June 8, 1790)
Music: Nettleton, by John Wyeth (b. March 31, 1770; d. Jan. 23, 1858)

There is merit, in the parts of Robinson’s work that are commonly omitted from our hymnbooks. The same sorrowing humility that is reflected in “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it” (4) is found in the rest of the hymn. Suppose we were to combine the first half of (2) and add the last half of (3), plus (5). Perhaps it would be seen as too negative for today’s believers, but it’s reality for many! Here’s what we’d have.

Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I’ll begin.
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.

O that day, when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothèd then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.

Interesting, to say the least! I know there are preachers who want us always to “think positive,” and who hesitate to preach on sin and suffering. But I believe we need the kind of balance that recognizes what we have in Christ, and how far we’ve come, yet is aware of our spiritual limitations, and longs to see more of the likeness of Christ reflected in our lives. We can always be abundantly satisfied with Christ, but it’s natural that we are dissatisfied with our own progress.

The closer our relationship with the Lord, the more we’ll tend to grieve over our own weakness and waywardness (cf. Isa. 6:5; Lk. 5:8). And we’ll recognize how inadequate our praise of God is. Perhaps we’ll cry with John Newton (in How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds):

Weak is the effort of my heart,
And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see Thee as Thou art,
I’ll praise Thee as I ought.

In such as state, and yet with such a glorious prospect, no wonder many Christians long for our heavenly home (cf. Phil. 1:21, 23), and the time when “we shall be like Him” (I Jn. 3:2; cf. Phil. 3:20-21). “O that day, when freed from sinning, I shall see Thy lovely face!” Meanwhile:

(1) Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Questions:

1. Is it possible to preach a positive gospel, and at the same time avoid talking about sin? (Why not?)
2. How does the Lord tune our hearts and teach us to praise Him?

Links:

• 9 June 1790 – Robert Robinson Died
• Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (The Cyber Hymnal)