The Cyber Hymnal ‎#7335

7335. When Rising from the Bed of Death

1. When rising from the bed of death,
O’erwhelmed with guilt and fear,
I see my maker face to face,
O how shall I appear?

2. If yet, while pardon may be found,
And mercy may be sought,
My heart with inward horror shrinks,
And trembles at the thought;

3. When Thou, O Lord, shalt stand disclosed
In majesty severe,
And sit in judgment on my soul,
O how shall I appear?

4. But Thou hast told the troubled mind
Who does her sins lament,
The timely tribute of her tears
Shall endless woe prevent.

5. Then see the sorrow of my heart,
Ere yet it be too late;
And hear my Savior’s dying groans,
To give those sorrows weight.

6. For never shall my soul despair
Her pardon to procure,
Who knows Thine only Son has died
To make her pardon sure.

Text Information

• First Line: When rising from the bed of death
• Title: When Rising from the Bed of Death
• Author: Joseph Addison (1712)
• Meter: CMD
• Language: English
• Source: The Spectator, October 18, 1712, number 513
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: The hymn was appended to a letter purporting to have been written by an ...excellent man in Holy Orders whom I have mentioned more than once as the one of that society who assist me in my speculations. The concluding words are "It is this Series of Thoughts that I have endeavoured to express in the following Hymn, which I have composed during this my Sickness" (quoted in Julian, page 17).

Tune Information

• Name: THIRD MODE MELODY
• Composer: Thomas Tallis, 1505-1585
• Meter: CMD
• Key: e minor
• Copyright: Public Domain