This is hymn 15 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
Hymn 15: Pass Me Not O Gentle Saviour
1. Pass me not, O gentle savior
Hear my humble cry
While on others Thou art calling
Do not pass me by.
Saviour, Saviour
Hear my humble cry
While on others Thou art calling
Do not pass me by.
2. Let me at thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition
Help my unbelief.
3. Trusting only in the Thy merit
would i seek thy face
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
save me by thy grace.
4. Thou, the spring of all my comfort
More than life to me
Whom have I on earth beside Thee
Whom in Heav’n but Thee?
Pass Me Not O Gentle Saviour Hymn Commentary
Beloved in Christ, while many hymns celebrate the joy of salvation, this heartfelt plea, “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour,” gives voice to the soul in its moment of desperate longing and holy fear. It is the prayer of one who sees the grace of God at work in others and, feeling their own deep need, cries out to be included. This hymn teaches us that the doorway to Christ’s presence is not self-confidence, but a humble, persistent cry for mercy.
Why Sing This Hymn
We sing this hymn to express our utter dependence on God’s grace, to combat the fear of being overlooked by God, and to model the posture of humble, persistent prayer. It is a hymn for the seeker, the struggling believer, and anyone who feels their spiritual poverty. It reminds us that our Savior is “gentle” and hears the humble cry.
1. It is a Hymn of Urgent, Personal Appeal (Verse 1)
The hymn opens with a cry born from observation and fear. The singer sees Christ’s work in others—His calling, His blessing—and is gripped by a holy terror of being missed. “While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.” This is not a demand, but a “humble cry.” It acknowledges God’s sovereign freedom to call whom He will, yet pleads for inclusion. The doubled address, “Saviour, Saviour,” intensifies the personal, pleading nature of the prayer. It is the prayer of the blind beggar Bartimaeus on the roadside, refusing to be silenced (Mark 10:47-48).
2. It is a Hymn of Seeking Relief and Honest Struggle (Verse 2)
The soul knows where the answer lies: at the “throne of mercy.” We come not to a throne of judgment, but of grace, to find “sweet relief” (Hebrews 4:16). The posture is one of “deep contrition”—a genuine sorrow for sin. Yet, in beautiful honesty, the prayer includes a cry that every believer understands: “Help my unbelief.” We acknowledge that even our faith is weak and needs the strengthening hand of the very Savior we are seeking (Mark 9:24).
3. It is a Hymn of Rejecting Self and Trusting Merit (Verse 3)
Here, the theology of the plea is made clear. We approach “Trusting only in Thy merit.” We bring no resume, no personal worthiness. Our only plea is the finished work of Christ. The requests are profound: first for inner healing (“Heal my wounded, broken spirit”), and then for ultimate salvation (“save me by thy grace”). The healing of the spirit and the saving of the soul are both works of His grace alone.
4. It is a Hymn of Christ as Supreme Treasure (Verse 4)
The plea culminates in a declaration of Christ’s supreme worth. He is not just a means to an end; He is the end itself. He is the “spring of all my comfort” and “More than life to me.” The soul, having sought Him, now realizes His incomparable value. The rhetorical questions—“Whom have I on earth beside Thee? Whom in Heav’n but Thee?”—echo Psalm 73:25, affirming that God alone is the soul’s ultimate portion and desire, both now and forever.
A Word for Your Spirit Today
Do you feel passed by? Do you see God’s blessing in the lives of others while you struggle with need, doubt, or a sense of spiritual distance? This hymn gives you the language for your prayer.
Do not silence your cry. Bring your humble plea to the gentle Savior. Be honest about your unbelief, your brokenness, and your complete lack of merit. Cling only to His.
Remember, the very fact that your heart cries out to not be passed by is evidence of the Spirit’s work within you. The gentle Savior stops for the one who cries. Come to the throne of mercy today. He will not pass by a seeking, contrite heart.
Cry out to Him. He is listening.
In the name of Jesus, our Gentle Savior and Merciful High Priest, Amen.
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