The Cyber Hymnal ‎#1267

1267. A Dread Hath Come on Me

1. A dread hath come on me,
I know not where to flee,
My pow’rs can naught avail me;
My trembling limbs grow weak,
My lips refuse to speak,
My heart and senses fail me.

2. For thinking on that sound
That once shall pierce the ground
And make its slumb’rers tremble,
Arise! the day of doom
Is come at last—is come!
Before the judge assemble!

3. Ah God! no tempest’s shock
That cleaves the solid rock
Could make my spirit shiver
As doth that awful tone;
Were my heart steel or stone
’Twould hear that voice and quiver.

4. I eat, or wake, or sleep,
I talk, or smile, or weep,
Yet still that voice of thunder
Is sounding through my heart—
Forget not what thou art,
The doom thou liest under!

5. For daily do I see
How many deaths there be,
How swiftly all things wither;
How sickness fills the grave,
Or fire, or sword, or wave
Is sweeping thousands thither.

6. My turn will soon be here,
The end is drawing near,
I hear its warning plainly;
Death knocketh at my door
And tells me all is o’er,
And I would fly him vainly.

7. Ah! who in this my strait
Will be mine advocate?
Will all things leave me friendless?
My wealth and power are dust,
This judge is ever just,
His righteous doom is endless.

8. Lord Jesus Christ! ’tis Thou
Alone canst help me now,
But ’twas for this Thou camest,
To save us in this hour—
Then show Thy mercy’s power,
For they are safe Thou claimest.

9. Speak Thou for me! Thou art
The refuge of my heart;
With gladness let me hear Thee;
Bid me to Thee ascend,
Where praise shall never end,
And love shall aye be near Thee.

Text Information

• First Line: A dread hath come on me
• Title: A Dread Hath Come on Me
• German Title: Ich steh' in Angst und Pein
• Author: Simon Dach (1640)
• Translator (from German): Catherine Winkworth
• Meter: 667.667
• Language: English
• Source: Translation: Chorale Book for England (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts & Green, 1863), number 28
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: ANGST
• Composer: Anonymous
• Meter: 667.667
• Incipit: 33366 55671 17711
• Key: C Major
• Copyright: Public Domain