The Cyber Hymnal ‎#7340

7340. When Time Seems Short and Death Is Near

1. When time seems short, and death is near,
And I am pressed by doubt and fear,
And sins, an overflowing tide,
Assail my peace on every side,
This thought my refuge still shall be,
I know my Savior died for me.

2. His name is Jesus, and He died—
For guilty sinners crucified;
Content to die, that He might win
Their ransom from the death of sin.
No sinner worse than I can be,
Therefore I know He died for me.

3. If grace were bought, I could not buy;
If grace were coined, no wealth have I;
By grace alone I draw my breath,
Held up from everlasting death.
Yet since I know His grace is free,
I know the Savior died for me.

4. I read God’s holy Word, and find
Great truths which far transcend my mind
And little do I know beside
Of thought so high and deep and wide.
This is my best theology—
I know the Savior died for me.

5. My faith is weak, but ’tis Thy gift;
Thou canst my helpless soul uplift,
And say, Thy bonds of death are riv’n,
Thy sins by Me are all forgiv’n,
And thou shalt live, from guilt set free;
For I, thy Savior, died for thee.

Text Information

• First Line: When time seems short, and death is near
• Title: When Time Seems Short and Death Is Near
• Author: George W. Bethune (1862)
• Meter: 88.88.88
• Language: English
• Source: The hymn was first published in Lyra Sacra Americana, 1868
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: This hymn was found in Bethune's portfolio, evidently written the day before his death. Alternate tunes: CAREY'S SURREY, Henry Carey, circa 1732; PATER OMNIUM, Henry J. E. Holmes, 1875; RAKEM, Isaac B. Woodbury, 1819-1858

Tune Information

• Name: ADORO TE
• Composer: Joseph Barnby (1872)
• Meter: 88.88.88
• Incipit: 33332 12355 55434
• Key: E♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain