Not Worthy, Lord, to Gather Up the Crumbs

Words and music by Edward Henry Jr. Bickersteth · 1872

Key of Eb · 100 BPM · 4/4 · Confession,Adoration · Mt 15:22-28

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Public domain in the United States (best-effort). Free for every use, including commercial — no license needed. Other countries may differ.