Evangelical Lutheran hymnal ‎#435

435. When my last hour is close at hand

1 When my last hour is close at hand,
And I must hence betake me,
Do Thou, Lord Jesus, by me stand,
Nor let Thine aid forsake me;
To Thy blest hands I now commend
My soul, at this my earthly end,
And Thou wilt safely keep it.

2 My sins, dear Lord, disturb me sore,
My conscience cannot slumber;
But I will cleave to Thee the more,
Though they the sands outnumber;
I will remember Thou didst die,
Will think on Thy most bitter cry;
Thy sufferings shall uphold me.

3 That was graft into the Vine,
Hence will I comfort borrow;
For Thou wilt surely keep me Thine
Through fear, and pain, and sorrow;
Yea, though I die, I die to Thee:
For Thou through death didst win for me
The right to life eternal.

4 Since Thou didst leave the grave again,
It cannot be my dwelling:
Thou art in heaven, this soothes my pain,
All fear of death dispelling;
For Thou wilt have me where Thou art,
And so with joy can I depart,
To be with Thee forever.

5 To Thee I now stretch out mine arms,
And gladly hence betake me;
I sleep at peace from all alarms,
No human voice can wake me.
But Christ is with me through the strife,
And He will bear me into life,
And open heaven before me.

Text Information

• First Line: When my last hour is close at hand
• Author: Nicolaus Herman (1562)
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1863)
• Meter: No. 20
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1908
• Topic: Christian Life and Hope: The Consummation: Contemplation of Death
• Notes: From the German text: Wenn mein Stuendlein vorhanden ist

Tune Information

• Name: STRASBURG (Herr, wie du willst, so schick's)
• Meter: No. 20
• Key: F Major
• Source: Unknown, Strasburg, 1525