609a. When, rising from the bed of death

1 When, rising from the bed of death,
O’erwhelmed with guilt and fear,
I view my Maker face to face,
O how shall I appear?
If yet, while pardon may be found,
And mercy may be sought,
My heart with inward horror shrinks,
And trembles at the thought;

2 When thou, O Lord, shalt stand disclosed
In majesty severe,
And sit in judgement on my soul,
O how shall I appear?
But thou hast told the troubled mind
Who does her sins lament,
The timely tribute of her tears,
Shall endless woe prevent.

3 Then see the sorrow of my heart,
Ere yet it be too late;
And hear my Saviour’s dying groans,
To give those sorrows weight.
For never shall my soul despair
Her pardon to procure,
Who knows thine only Son has died
To make her pardon sure.

Text Information
First Line: When, rising from the bed of death
Author: Joseph Addison, 1672-1719
Meter: DCM
Language: English
Publication Date: 2006
Topic: The Christian Year: Passiontide
Tune Information
Name: THIRD MODE MELODY
Composer: Thomas Tallis, c. 1505-85 (adapted)
Arranger: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958
Meter: DCM
Key: a minor



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