The Lutheran Hymnary ‎#586

586. My God, I know that I must die

1 My God, I know that I must die:
My mortal life is passing hence;
On earth I neither hope nor try
To find a lasting residence.
Then teach me by Thy heavenly grace
With joy and peace my death to face.

2 My God, I know not when I die;
What is the moment or the hour,
How soon the clay may broken lie,
How quickly pass away the flower.
Then may Thy child preparéd be
Through time to meet eternity.

3 My God, I know not how I die;
For death has many ways to come,
In dark mysterious agony,
Or gently as a sleep to some.
Just as Thou wilt, if but it be
To bring me, blesséd Lord, to Thee!

4 My God, I know not where I die,
Where is my grace, beneath what strand;
Yet from its gloom I do rely
To be delivered by Thy hand.
Content I take what spot is mine,
Since all the earth, my Lord, is Thine.

5 My gracious God, when I must die,
O bear my happy soul above,
With Christ, my Lord, eternally
To share Thy glory and Thy love.
Then comes it right and well to me
When, where, and how my death shall be.

Text Information

• First Line: My God, I know that I must die
• Author: B. Schmolck (1700)
• Meter: 8s. 6L.
• Publication Date: 1913
• Topic: The Last Things: Preparation for Death

Tune Information

• Name: [My God, I know that I must die]
• Composer: W. H. Monk (1861)
• Meter: 8s. 6L.
• Key: F Major