Not Worthy, Lord, to Gather Up the Crumbs

1. Not worthy, Lord, to gather up the crumbs With trembling hand that from Thy table fall, A weary, heavy laden sinner comes To plead Thy promise and obey Thy call.

2. I am not worthy to be thought Thy child, Nor sit the last and lowest at Thy board; Too long a wanderer and too oft beguiled; I only ask one reconciling word.

3. One word from Thee, my Lord, one smile, one look, And I could face the cold, rough world again; And with that treasure in my heart could brook The wrath of devils and the scorn of men.

4. And is not mercy Thy prerogative— Free mercy, boundless, fathomless, divine? Me, Lord, the chief of sinners, me forgive, And Thine the greater glory, only Thine.

5. I hear Thy voice; Thou bid'st me come and rest; I come, I kneel, I clasp Thy piercèd feet; Thou bid'st me take my place, a welcome guest Among Thy saints, and of Thy banquet eat.

6. My praise can only breathe itself in prayer, My prayer can only lose itself in Thee; Dwell Thou forever in my heart, and there, Lord, let me sup with Thee; sup Thou with me.

Words: Edward Henry Bickersteth, 1872.
Music: 'Eventide' William H. Monk, 1861.
Setting: William H. Monk, 1861.
copyright: public domain. This score is a part of the Open Hymnal Project, 2012 Revision.

Pdf Image of Score Gif Image of Score Midi Audio of Tune Mp3 Audio of Tune Abc source

Open Hymnal Main Page