Christian Hymns ‎#210

210. Who knows how soon my life be ended!

1 Who knows how soon my life be ended!
Time flies and death is hasting on.
How suddenly, without a warning,
The end may come and life be gone!
O God, when tolls my parting knell,
For Jesus' sake may all be well!

2 Teach me, O Lord, my days to number,
And when this life I shall depart,
Let me commend my soul to Jesus,
And die with a repentant heart.
O God, when tolls my parting knell,
For Jesus' sake may all be well!

3 O God, my sins in mercy cover
With merits of Thy dying Son!
In Him I put my trust securely,
He on the cross my pardon won.
O God, when toils my parting knell,
For Jesus' sake may all be well!

4 Help me to set mine house in order
Betimes, and ever ready be,
That when Thou callest, I may answer
Lord, as Thou wilt do unto me.
O God, when tolls my parting knell,
For Jesus' sake may all be well!

5 The sorrows and the cross of Jesus
Make death-beds soft, and light the grave;
They comfort me in hour of parting,
And give the grace I fain would have.
O God, when tolls my parting knell,
For Jesus' sake may all be well!

6 From Jesus naught shall ever part me;
In faith I touch His pierced side
And hail Him Lord, my God and Saviour;
Nor life nor death shall us divide.
O God, when tolls my parting knell,
For Jesus' sake may all be well!

7 Meanwhile in God I live contented,
Or die without an anxious thought.
Where He doth lead, there will I follow,
For I believe without a doubt,
Through faith, when tolls my parting knell,
For Jesus' sake, all shall be well.

Text Information

• First Line: Who knows how soon my life be ended!
• Meter: 9, 8, 9, 8, 8, 8.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1898
• Topic: Christ: Abiding in; Life: Brevity, Uncertainty and Solemnity of; Ready to meet God; Sickness, Death, and Burial
• Notes: Countess of Schwarzburg, 1686. Tr. comp; Norwegian title: Hvo ved, hvor nær mig er min Ende

Tune Information

• Name: WHO KNOWS HOW SOON MY LIFE BE ENDED
• Composer: C. Moeck, d. 1818
• Meter: 9, 8, 9, 8, 8, 8.
• Notes: Norwegian tune name: Hco ved, hvor nær mig er min Ende