A Selection of Psalms and Hymns ‎#CXXIII

CXXIII. Preparing for Death

1 Oft as the bell with solemn toll
Speaks the departure of a soul,
Let each one ask himself, am I
Prepar'd, should I be call'd to die!

2 Only this frail and fleeting breath,
Preserves me with the jaws of death;
Soon as it fails, at once I'm gone,
And plung'd into a world unknown.

3 Then leaving all I loved below,
To GOD's tribunal I must go;
Must hear the Judge pronounce my fate,
And fix my everlasting state.

4 But could I bear to hear him say,
"Depart, accursed far away;
With devils in the lowest hell
Thou art forever doom'd to dwell.

5 LORD JESUS! help me now to flee,
And seek my hope alone in thee;
Apply thy blood, thy spirit give,
Subdue my sin, and in me live.

6 Then, when the solemn bell I hear,
If sav'd from guilt, I need not fear,
Now would the thought distressing be,
Perhaps it next may toll for me.

7 Rather my spirits would rejoice,
And wait impatient for thy voice;
Glad when it bids me earth resign,
Secure of heaven, if thou art mine.

Text Information

• First Line: Oft as the bell with solemn toll
• Title: Preparing for Death
• Meter: Long Metre
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1790
• Topic: After Sermon
• Source: The Coll.

Tune Information

(No tune information)