TTT-Himnaro Cigneta ‎#512

512. Death, and the terrors of the grave

1. Thee will I love, O Lord, my strength,
My rock, my tower, my high defence:
Thy mighty arm shall be my trust:
For I have found salvation thence.

2*. Death, and the terrors of the grave,
Spread over me their dismal shade;
While floods of high temptations rose,
And made my sinking soul afraid.

3*. I saw the opening gates of hell,
With endless pains and sorrows there,
Which none but they that feel, can tell;
While I was hurried to despair.

4*. In my distress I call'd my God,
When I could scarce believe him mine;
He bow'd his ear to my complaints;
Then did his grace appear divine.

5*. With speed he flew to my relief,
As on a cherub's wings he rode:
Awful and bright as lightning shone
The face of my deliv'rer, God.

6. Temptations fled at his rebuke,
Dispell'd by his almighty breath:
He sent salvation from on high,
And drew me from the depths of death.

7. Great were my fears, my foes were great,
Much was their strength, and more their rage,
But Christ, my Lord, is conqu'ror still,
In all the wars that devils wage.

8*. My song for ever shall record
That terrible, that joyful hour;
And give the glory to the Lord,
Due to his mercy and his pow'r.

[Asterisks following stanza numbers indicate stanzas parodied by Herman Melville in Father Mapple's hymn "The Ribs and Terrors in the Whale", Moby-Dick, ch. 9]

Text Information

• First Line: Thee will I love, O Lord, my strength
• Title: Death, and the terrors of the grave
• Author: Isaac Watts
• Language: English
• Scripture:
  Psalm 18:10
  ;
  Psalm 18:16
• Topic: God the Savior

Tune Information

• Name: OLD HUNDREDTH
• Composer (attributed to): Loys Bourgeois (1551)