Not worthy, Lord, to gather up the crumbs

Not worthy, Lord, to gather up the crumbs. Edward Henry Bickersteth* (1825-1906).   This hymn is usually dated 1872, but this may refer to its date of publication. It is based on the prayer of humble access in the Order of the Administration of the Lord’s Supper, or Holy Communion in the Book of Common Prayer. The prayer comes after the Proper Prefaces, and before the Prayer of Consecration, which immediately precedes the receiving of the bread and wine. It begins ‘We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table…’. Bickersteth’s...