HALLGRIM PETURSSON'S DEATH-BED HYMN
Hallgrim Petursson (1614-1674)
7.6.7.6 D
I know that my Redeemer
Lives crowned upon the throne;
Lord over earth and heaven
He saves, and He alone;
He conquered death by dying
Upon the accursed tree,
And from His death sprang glorious
Eternal life for me.
Christ conquered death by dying--
Jesu, Thy mortal pain
O'erthrew the King of Terrors
And brake the captive's chain.
What though this earthly body
Obey Death's dread behest?
The soul soars free rejoicing
To mansions of the blest.
I think upon my Saviour,
I trust His power to keep,
His mighty arm enfolds me
Awaking and in sleep.
Christ is my rock, my courage;
Christ is my soul's true life;
And Christ (my still heart knows it)
Will bear me through the strife.
Thus in Christ's name I'm living;
Thus in Christ's name I'll die;
I'll fear not though life's vigour
From Death's cold shadow fly.
O Grave, where is thy triumph?
O Death, where is thy sting?
"Come when thou wilt, and welcome!"
Secure in Christ I sing.
Hallgrim Petursson (1614-1674)
10.10.10.10
Come, Lord, Thyself with Thine abounding grace;
Mine utmost depth of need Thine eyes can trace:
Thou, Lord, through life's long way my Guard and Guide;
Let not Thy pilgrim's last tired footsteps slide.
Upon my sight dark dawns the rising day;
Faint fall the sounds of earth, and far away:
None, none can aid; by death's lone, narrow door,
I pass beyond man's help for evermore.
None, none can aid but Thou, Almighty Lord;
I stay me on Thine everlasting Word;
Let earth decay, heaven's far-flung glories pale,
Jehovah's plighted word can never fail.
Within the Eternal Arms I sink to rest,
Washed in the stream that flowed from Jesus' breast:
The life Thou gavest, Father, now defend;
Into Thine Hands my spirit I commend.
Let the last psalm my dying voice can raise,
Extol Thy loving-kindness, hymn Thy praise:
Let the first notes my wakening lips can frame
Amid the eternal glory, laud Thy Name.
First, midst, and last, through that unclouded day,
I would my Saviour's boundless grace display,
And swell the anthems of the ransomed host,
Adoring Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.