I Do Not Come Because My Soul

I do not come because my soul
Is free from sin and pure and whole
And worthy of Thy grace;
I do not speak to Thee because
I’ve ever justly kept Thy laws
And dare to meet Thy face.

I know that sin and guilt combine
To reign o’er every thought of mine
And turn from good to ill;
I know that, when I try to be
Upright and just and true to Thee,
I am a sinner still.

I know that often when I strive
To keep a spark of love alive
For Thee, the powers within
Leap up in unsubmissive might
And oft benumb my sense of right
And pull me back to sin.

I know that, though in doing good
I spend my life, I never could
Atone for all I’ve done;
But though my sins are black as night,
I dare to come before Thy sight
Because I trust Thy Son.

In Him alone my trust I place,
Come boldly to Thy throne of grace,
And there commune with Thee.
Salvation sure, O Lord, is mine,
And, all unworthy, I am Thine,
For Jesus died for me.

Author: Charlotte Elliott

Year: 1834

This is the opening of the well-known hymn 'Just As I Am' (full first line: 'Just as I am, without one plea'). The provided text matches the original 1834 version by Charlotte Elliott, though the title given appears to be a variant or misremembered first line. No significant alternate attributions exist.