Lyrics Review - As We Gather

Alternative Titles
Some refer to this as "As We Gather (may Your Spirit work within us)" due to the existence of another hymn "As We Gather At Your Table."

Many confuse the chorus of the hymn to be that of "The Steadfast Love of the Lord" but it is actually a different hymn and currently the popular version is actually a medley of the two.

Lyrics
As We gather
may Your Spirit work within us.
As we gather may we glorify Your Name.
Knowing well that as our
Hearts begin to worship.
We'll be blessed because we came.
We'll be blessed because we came.
(Repeat)

Author
This is an old hymn, but some sources credit this to Mike Fay and Tom Coomes, some even to Maranatha singers. Unfortunately, I cannot find a biography for either of the two.

Chords

Background

Lyrics Review
5/5 Scriptural
5/5 Christ-centered
5/5 Chanty
Encouraging to individual and groups of Christians coming to worship
Edifying: worship, faith, God's blessing,

I'm rather fond of this hymn, even if it is simply looped. Some days I'd sing it for days and days on end. It looks so simple with very short lyrics, but I appreciated it more deeply when I learned more about worship. This hymn is practically a guide to worship!

The first two lines asks for the Spirit's presence, which is crucial in all forms of worship. The second states its goal: to glorify the Lord. The last part is a statement of faith, that God is good and He will surely bless those who worship Him. However, some put special emphasis on this, especially since it is a repeated ending line. It must be remembered that the goal of worship is not blessing, but to glorify God. Personally, I modify the last line to

"We'll be blessed because You came."

whenever I sing it, so that I still remain focused on God, while also saying that God does not owe us His blessing nor does He bless us "because we came." Another way to look at it, it means God's presence is our blessing.

Listen
Here is the popular medley