WHEN TIME SEEMS SHORT AND DEATH IS NEAR

“While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

George W. Bethune (1805-1862)

Words: George W. Beth­une, 1862. This hymn was found in Beth­une’s port­fo­lio, ev­i­dent­ly writ­ten the day be­fore his death. The hymn was first pub­lished in Lyra Sa­cra Amer­i­ca­na, 1868

Music: Adoro Te, Jo­seph Barn­by, 1872 (MI­DI, score). Al­ter­nate tunes:

  • Carey’s Surrey, Hen­ry Car­ey, cir­ca 1732 (MI­DI, score)
  • Pater Omnium, Hen­ry J. E. Holmes, 1875 (MI­DI, score)
  • Rakem, Isaac B. Wood­bu­ry (1819-1858) (MI­DI, score)

Joseph Barnby (1838-1896)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”