Chorus:
I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.
Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love, and pow’r.
Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,
God’s free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Ev’ry grace that brings you nigh. [Chorus]
Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better,
You will never come at all. [Chorus]
Let not conscience make you linger,
Nor of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him. [Chorus]
Joseph Hart, 1759
Read Luke 15:18-24
There are several versions of “I Will Arise.” The one I’m most familiar with has the chorus, as listed here. Other versions without the chorus have additional verses and may be listed under the title “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy.” Regardless of which version is in your hymnbook, the key is the invitation. We need the grace and mercy of God, and the hymn assures us it is readily available. It’s up to us to respond. Do you remember the day you responded? The day that you got up and went to Jesus and felt that receiving embrace?