“I am Debtor” Poem by Robert Murray McCheyne, 1837

When this passing world is done,

And when has sunk yon glaring sun
When we stand with Christ in glory,
Looking o’er life’s finished story,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know –
Not till then – how much I owe.

When I hear the wicked call

On the rocks and hills to fall,
When I see them start and shrink
On the fiery deluge brink,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know –
Not till then – how much I owe.

When I stand before the throne

Dressed in beauty not my own,
When I see Thee as Thou art,
Love Thee with unsinning heart,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know –
Not till then – how much I owe.

When the praise of heaven I hear

Loud as thunders to the ear,
Loud as many waters’ noise,
Sweet as harp’s melodious voice,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know –
Not till then – how much I owe.

Even on earth, as through a glass

Darkly, let thy glory pass,
Make forgiveness feel so sweet,
Make thy Spirit’s help so meet,
Even on earth, Lord, make me know
Something of how much I owe.

Chosen not for good in me,

Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Saviour’s side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe.

Oft I walk beneath the cloud,

Dark as midnight’s gloomy shroud;
But, when fear is at the height,
Jesus comes, and all is light:
Blessed Jesus! bid me show
Doubting saints how much I owe

When in flowery paths I tread,

Oft by sin I’m captive led;
Oft I fall, but still arise;
The Spirit comes – the tempter flies:
Blessed Spirit! bid me show
Weary sinners all I owe.

Oft the nights of sorrow reign –

Weeping, sickness, sighing, pain,
But a night thine anger burns –
Morning comes, and joy returns:
God of comforts! bid me show
To thy poor, how much I owe.

Understanding McCheyne’s Poem

The words in the poem are beautiful and remind us of the grace we have received.  All people are born into this world in a fallen state, unworthy of God’s love and grace — and yet, the Father loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die for us and to pay the penalty for our sins.  How great a debt we owe to someone who paid our debt.  And yet, we can never repay Him. And furthermore, He does not ask that of us.

What the Lord wants is for us to remember what He has done for us and recognize the amazing grace that He has given to us.  Not only did He wash away our sins, He also gave us His righteousness (Read: The Gift of Salvation: Justification & Imputation (Imputed Righteousness)  The Lord desires that we understand the righteousness we have received.  We stand worthy before God the Father because of Jesus.  And we trust that, in Him, we have life and light, and we can live in a dark and dying world and shine the light of Jesus to all whom we meet.

Renewing our minds daily in God’s truths will fuel our thoughts, words, and actions to love and serve others.  That’s what we owe Jesus for His great gift of salvation.  He lived the life we cannot live and died the death that we should die.  Let us be faithful to serve Him as He has commissioned us.  May we endeavor to tell all people about His love and saving grace, for it is the Lord’s will that none should perish, but all should come to Him. (2 Pet 3:9)

About McCheyne, Robert Murray (1813-1843)

Robert Murray McCheyne was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on May 21, 1813. He was educated at Edinburgh University and was ordained in 1836 as minister of St. Peter’s Established Church, Dundee. In 1839, he went to Palestine as one of the Mission of Enquiry to the Jews from the Church of Scotland. McCheyned served as minister of St. Peter’s Church(in Dundee until his early death two months short of his 29the birthday. His cause of death was uncertain but it was during an epidemic of typhus.

In addition to writing sermons, McCheyned also wrote poems, and hymns, a few of which were written in Palestine and appeared in his book of poetry titled Songs of Zion. The book was written in the style of the Psalms of Ascent, with the intention to “cheer and guide pilgrims on their way to the New Jerusalem” and was published in 1843 shortly after his death

The best-known “songs” are “I Once Was a Stranger to Grace and to God;” and “When This Passing World Is Done.” Others still known today are “Beneath Moriah’s rocky side,” written at the “Foot of Carmel, June, 1839” (Sent from God); “Like mist on the mountains,” written “Jan. 1st, 1831” (Children called to Christ), and “Ten Virgins, clothed in white” (The Ten Virgins), dated 1841.